The aim of this work is to give a contribution to the study of climatic conditions for Rio de Janeiro State towards a better Climatic Classification by identifying homogeneous precipitation regions. Monthly mean rainfall for a period of thirty years (1971-2000), from 48 meteorological stations, were used. Cluster hierarchical analysis, orography and proximity to the ocean showed that Rio de Janeiro State could be divided into six homogeneous regions according to its rainfall distribution, which allowed the classification of meteorological stations by nonhierarchical K-means method. The north region of the State is the driest one, with annual rainfall around 870 mm. The south hillside of Serra do Mar is the wettest. In both regions, the precipitation during the rainy season represents around 70% of the total annual rainfall.
homogeneous regions; cluster analysis; monthly rainfall
