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INFLUENCE OF CLOUD COVER AND OCCURRENCES OF EXTREME HEAT IN SÃO LUÍS VIA GLOBE OBSERVER

Organization(s):UFMA - UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO MARANHÃO
Country:Brazil
Student(s):Rebeca Bezerra Praseres, Vinicius da Conceição Castro, Amanda Lilia Santos Leão, Ana Luiza de Cássia Santos Raymundo, Paulo Sergio Araujo Oliveira1, Natália Siqueira Viana1, Lara Sofia Veras Sampaio2, Renato Nascimento de Oliveira2, Maria Eduarda Pereira Sodré2, Layla Isabelly Costa da Luz Silva2, Ester de Jesus Silva e Silva2, Lorena Rocha dos Santos2, Sergio Antônio Silva Ferreira2, Maryadna Santos de Moura Moraes2.
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):Adilson Matheus Borges Machado, João Santos, Nubia Rodrigues
Contributors:Ana Carolina Abraão Neri, Hilton Costa Louzeiro, Ulisses Denache Vieira Souza, Leidiane Caroline Lauthartte, Aline Bessa Veloso, Aslei Andrade da Silva.
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, Clouds, Precipitation, Wind, Biometry (including Tree Height)
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-31
This study investigated the relationship between cloud cover and extreme heat in São Luís-MA using GLOBE Observer. Students collected 1,850 observations (2025-2026), revealing a strong negative correlation (r=-0.72) between cloudiness and temperature. Clear days (<20% cloud cover) had an average of 34.2°C (peaks >38°C), while moderately cloudy days (40-70%) recorded 28.7°C – a difference of ~5.5°C. The attenuating effect was greater between 11 am and 3 pm (up to 8°C lower). Urbanized areas were hotter than green areas. It is concluded that clouds significantly modulate urban heat and that citizen monitoring is a valid tool for climate planning in tropical cities. Keywords: Cloud cover; Extreme heat; Urban climate; GLOBE Observer; Citizen science.


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