SYNOPTIC DRIVERS AND IMPACTS OF EXTREME RAINFALL EVENTS IN JUNE 2019 AND MAY 2022 IN RECIFE (PE), BRAZIL

Abstract

Extreme rainfall events pose a growing threat to urban areas, as they are associated with flooding and landslides. In the municipality of Recife, in the state of Pernambuco, factors such as urban transformations and socio-environmental vulnerabilities exacerbate these impacts. This study analyzed the patterns, genesis, and driving factors of two critical extreme precipitation episodes: the most intense event in the historical CEMADEN records and the severe episode that occurred in 2022. Precipitation data from stations distributed across the study area were used to classify daily precipitation thresholds and spatial patterns of extreme rainfall episodes. Based on the analysis of synoptic charts, the atmospheric systems active on days with extreme rainfall events were identified. The results highlight the significant influence of Easterly Wave Disturbances on higher-magnitude episodes, as well as the role of topography in the spatial distribution of rainfall, with higher concentrations over hillside areas. Understanding precipitation patterns is essential for improving risk management and implementing climate change adaptation measures.