TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE VARIABLES IN BARRAS, PIAUÍ, BRAZIL: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 2005, 2015, AND 2025

Abstract

Climate change and urbanization have altered the behavior of climatic elements across different regions, making it important to monitor these variables in small cities. This study analyzed and compared precipitation, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, temperature range, and average wind speed in Barras (PI) during the years 2005, 2015, and 2025 to identify seasonal patterns and local climate trends. The research was conducted under the Junior Scientific Initiation Scholarship Program (PIBIC-Júnior) using meteorological data from the NASA POWER platform, organized in spreadsheets and supported by a literature review. The results showed a significant reduction in rainfall compared to the historical average, increases in maximum and minimum temperatures, a decrease in air humidity, and a wider temperature range. Average wind speed remained stable throughout the analyzed period. Strong seasonality was also observed, with rainfall concentrated in the first half of the year and rising temperatures and water scarcity during the dry season. In 2015, the El Niño phenomenon contributed to reduced rainfall and higher temperatures; however, some of these changes persisted into 2025, indicating that natural climate variability compounds regional and global warming trends. The municipality of Barras shows signs of significant climate changes, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring to support urban planning, water management, agriculture, and public policies for climate change adaptation.