This work analyses the climatological features of air temperature, specific humidity and rainfall totals from the meteorological station located in São José dos Campos Airport, SP, using the 1974 to 1998 data period. The results show that according to the Köppen classification, São José dos Campos has an Aw climate type. Thus, the winter is relatively dry with mean monthly rainfall totals less than 50 mm and rainy summer with monthly rainfall totals above 148 mm. It is shown that in average rains 120 days per year, 19 days in January, 17 days in December, 16 days in February, 15 days in March and only 6 days in July. Analysis of the year-to-year variability of rainfall shows that during El Niño and La Niña years, the rainfall is above than normal year values. Analysis of air temperature shows that maximum values vary between 23,3 oC in July and 30,2 oC in February. On the other hand, the minimum temperatures range between 11,7 oC in June and 19,8 oC in February. During some El Niño and La Niña events (e.g. 1977, 1994), the annual mean air temperature is above than average values. On the other hand, the analysis of specific humidity shows that typically the highest values occurs during summer time and the smallest ones during the winter period. This variable shows small interanual variability.Pages: 724-72
