Amazon Rainforest Climate...
The Amazon rainforest climate is typically a tropical climate, also known as equatorial climate, found aproximately 12 degrees to the North and South of the equator.
Like any other tropical rainforest, it's hot and humid throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of 27°C (80.7°F).
There isn't such a thing as summer or winter, or it's not pronounced, the annual temperature range is about 2°C.
In fact, the difference between day and night temperature (2 to 5°C) is greater than the difference between any two seasons.
And it's not as hot as it may be expected - temperatures rarely reach over 33°C - not much if we compare it with other parts of Brazil, such as Rio for instance, where is not unusual to find temperatures in the range of 40°C (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) during summer.
Only humidity can be a burden to the unaccustomed, giving a feeling of oppressiveness and lack of air.
The Amazon rainforest climate has not a dry season, as it rains almost the whole year. What we find is rainy season and no-so-rainy season (so called dry) ranging from about 60-180 inches to 30-100 inches.
Precipitation varies significantly though, in the Eastern part of the Amazon rainforest (close to the Andes) it doubles Manaus region.
Let's see the temperature and precipitation chart for Manaus on a yearly basis...
Weather in Manaus. Amazon rainforest
The blue bars show precipitation level (in mm) and the red dots show temperatures in degrees Celsius.
If you are not familiar with this temperature scale visit Celsius to Fahrenheit for a quick conversion chart.
From November to May rain is very frequent in Manaus.
The rainly season means higher water levels - it can rise up to 20 meters - making navigation much easier as many areas get flooded and new shortcuts are created. During dry season it's harder to navigate and temperatures are higher, however, it's a great moment to experience wildlife in the rainforest.
What is the best time to visit the Amazon rainforest?..
Your best bet is between March and June, a transition time where you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest climate is changing for the worse though.
It's believed that rainfall has decresed due to large scale deforestation. Fire and drought pose the biggest threat to the Amazon rainforest.
Dry conditions greatly increase the risk of forest fire.
During 2005, the Amazon rainforest suffered the worst drought in over a century.
As larger areas are cut down or burned on a yearly basis for cattle raising, farming or other purposes, this can only increase global warming due to the carbon dioxide and methane realeased into the atmosphere by the burning trees.
If we consider that the Amazon rainforest is the biggest remaining tropical forest on earth, the consequences for future generations would be devastating.
Needless to say that we need to take urgent care of this matter, particularly those countries benefiting from it.
We can only hope that world leaders will come to terms with it and start thinking about the survival of the world as a whole rather than their own backyards at any cost.
The Amazon rainforest climate concern us all so we better start doing something about it!
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