Teleconnections between the rainfall over Northeast Brazil and the winter circulation of Northern Hemisphere

Linear correlation coefficients are calculated between the geopotential heights for the winter months (December, January, and February) at 700 mb in the Northern Hemisphere and the March rainfall over Northeast Brazil. Isolines of correlation coefficients showed interesting patterns and regions of significantly high correlation. The occurrence of PNA pattern is interpreted as a connection between the Northern Hemisphere winter circulation and NE Brazil rainfall through El Niño—Southern oscillation phenomena. The negative center over North-West United States in the PNA pattern also has a direct relationship to the NE Brazil rainfall. Further studies are needed to substantiate and understand the teleconnections noted here.