The month of September 2004 recorded high temperatures and low relative humidities in Brazil, mainly in the central parts of the country. The rainfall was less than normal in most parts of the country. However, the penetration of cold frontal boundaries into the country reduced the prevailing dry conditions in the southern region where the rainfall was higher than normal, especially in the state of Santa Catarina and the adjoining parts of Rio Grande do Sul. São Paulo and some parts of southern Brazil recorded localized hail.

In the Equatorial Pacific the sea surface temperatures remained above normal for the third consecutive month. This situation may evolve into a configuration characteristic of a weak El Niño episode in the coming months.

The forest and bush fires in Brazil have increased by 44% in relation to the previous month, but still within the limits of expected behavior considering that the season is significantly dry in the central parts of the country. There was an increase of 17% in relation to the same month of last year.

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