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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, Elizeth Gomes da Silva, Paulo Sergio Araujo Oliveira, Natália Siqueira Viana, Lara Sofia Veras Sampaio, Renato Nascimento de Oliveira, Maria Eduarda Pereira Sodré, Layla Isabelly Costa da Luz Silva, Ester de Jesus Silva e Silva, Lorena Rocha dos Santos, Sergio Antônio Silva Ferreira, Maryadna Santos de Moura Moraes.
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):Nubia Rodrigues, Adilson Matheus Borges Machado, Geyse Ribeiro, João Santos
Contributors:Hilton Costa Louzeiro, João Paulo Tenório da Silva Santos, Adilson Matheus Borges Machado, Núbia Fernanda Marinho Rodrigues, Ana Carolina Abraão Neri, 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, Wind, Biometry (including Tree Height)
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-02-02
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.