Eta model forecasts as input to crop models for the Mid-Southern region of Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the 120-day precipitation and maximum and minimum temperature forecasts by Eta Model over 24 locations around the Mid-Southern of Brazil. The evaluation was based on comparing observed time series of precipitation and temperatures from 1997 to 2002 to 30, 60 and 120-day forecasts of Eta Model over these 24 locations. Mean, median and standard deviation were used in the evaluation. The results show that these forecasts generally underestimate rain and temperature range. The smallest precipitation errors occurred in Itumbiara and Rio Verde, whereas the largest errors occurred in Porangatu and Manduri. The smallest maximum temperature errors occurred in Brasilia, Manduri and Piracicaba whereas the largest errors in Barreiras and Porangatu. Despite the systematic errors exhibited by the precipitation and temperature forecasts, these errors can be removed and the corrected values input into the crop models.