Changes in heat wave characteristics over Extremadura (SW Spain)

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Heat wave (HW) events are becoming more frequent, and they have important consequences because of the negative effects they can have not only on the human...     

Spatial analysis of the annual and seasonal aridity trends in Extremadura,southwestern Spain

The knowledge of drought (or wetness) conditions is necessary not only for a rational use of water resources but also for explaining landscape and ecology characteristics. An increase in aridity in many areas of the world is expected because of climate change (global warming). With the aim of analysing annual and seasonal aridity trends in Extremadura, southwestern Spain, climate data from 81 locations within the 1951–2010 period were used. After computing the De Martonne aridity index at each location, a geographic information system (GIS) and multivariate geostatistics (regression kriging) were utilised to map this index throughout the region. Later, temporal trends were analysed using the Mann-Kendall test, and the Sen’s estimator was utilised to estimate the magnitude of trends. Maps of aridity trends were generated by ordinary kriging algorithm, providing a visualisation of detected annual and seasonal tendencies. An increase in aridity, as the De Martonne aridity index decreased, was apparent during the study period, mainly in the more humid locations of the north of the region. An increase of the seasonal De Martonne aridity index was also found, but it was only statistically significant in some locations in spring and summer, with the highest decreasing rate in the north of Extremadura. Change year detection was achieved using cumulative sum graphs, obtaining that firstly the change point occurred in spring, in the mid-1970s, later in the annual period in the late 1970s and finally in summer at the end of the 1980s.     

Climatic risk zoning for potential occurrence of cacao moniliasis disease in Northeastern Brazil under the influence of ENSO phases

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Air temperature and relative humidity are the main drivers of many fungal diseases, such as moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri), which affects cocoa production...     

天时、气候与中国历史(Ⅱ): "好(坏)天时"与历史上的"顺(乱)世"

中国历史上的"顺世"绝大多数(≈83%)出现在"好天时纪"中; 绝大多数"乱世"出现在"坏天时纪"内(≈85%).历史上的分裂期都出现在"长坏天时纪"中.依据"天时好、坏"与"顺世、乱世"的两两对应关系, 可将历史上的皇帝分为贤、明、庸、暴四类.本世纪初开始的"长好天时纪"可能是中华民族又一个辉煌时期的开始.但是对"坏天时代"的可能干扰, 应引起足够重视.     

Development of agroclimatic zoning model to delimit the potential growing areas for macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata)

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The growing biodiesel production requires the use of new technologies and alternative feedstocks to maintain the growing demand of this biofuel. The macaw...     

Probabilistic correction of RCM precipitation in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)

A parametric quantile–quantile transformation is used to correct the systematic errors of precipitation projected by regional climate models. For this purpose, we used two new probability distributions: modified versions of the Gumbel and log-logistic distributions, which fit to the precipitation of both wet and dry days. With these tools, the daily probability distribution of seven regional climate models was corrected: Aladin-ARPEGE, CLM-HadCM3Q0, HIRHAM-HadCM3Q0, HIRHAM-BCM, RECMO-ECHAM5-rt3, REMO-ECHAM-rt3 and PROMES-HadCM3Q0. The implemented method presents an error less than 5 % in the simulation of the average precipitation and 1 % in the simulation of the number of dry days. For the study area, an intensification of daily and subdaily precipitation is expected under the A1B scenario throughout the 21st century. This intensification is interpreted as a consequence of the process of ‘mediterraneanisation’ of the most southern ocean climate.     

Consistency analysis of pluviometric information in Galicia (NW Spain)

An important issue in pluviometric data analysis from rain gauges is the verification of their consistency. In general, this attribute is assessed using double-mass curves. This technique compares cumulative monthly rainfall from a gauge with that averaged from meteorological stations located nearby. The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of monthly rainfall data registered in Galicia (NW Spain) in a five year period (2002–2006). Initially, 159 meteorological stations were evaluated; however, 59 gauges were withdrawn because 10% of their data were missing. Double-mass analysis was performed following two procedures: a) data from each gauge were compared to those obtained in the nearby main station and b) data from each site were compared to the average from five nearby gauges, including data from neighboring regions. The second procedure proved to be more reliable. Rainfall data did not show any outlier for the study period. Determination coefficients were greater than 0.95 in all cases. A graphical analysis showed some deviations from the trend lines in certain stations. First, rainfall maps were obtained by inverse distances weighting. Furthermore, a comprehensive geostatistical analysis, centered in the characterization of the structure of rainfall spatial variability, was performed. Differences between two kriging methods, ordinary and kriging with an external drift, were confirmed, considering the later as a more appropriate technique for rainfall interpolation in the region.     

Statistical distribution and spectral analysis of rainfallanomalies for Barcelona (NE Spain)

Summary  Rainfall anomaly patterns are obtained for the city of Barcelona from a statistical and a spectral point of view. The time series consists of monthly rainfall amounts recorded over 128 years without interruption. Monthly positive and negative anomalies, obtained as the difference between monthly amounts and monthly threshold values, are used for both types of analyses. The threshold levels are derived form the deciles of theoretical monthly rainfall distributions, which have been previously modelled by the gamma distribution. Positive and negative anomalies of the monthly rain amounts are investigated for these threshold levels. The statistical analysis is applied to each decile considered, yielding empirical exponential laws that can be used to forecast the cumulative number of episodes of consecutive months with either positive or negative anomalies equalling or exceeding a fixed length. A set of linear laws, relating the expected rainfall amount cumulated during an episode of a fixed length, is also deduced. It is worthy of mention that, independently of the decile considered, all the exponential and linear laws have satisfactory regression coefficients. At the same time, it has also been possible to establish the evolution of the coefficients of these laws with respect to the different deciles considered. The exponential laws for episodes of positive and negative anomalies are the starting point, together with two hypotheses, to model probabilities of repeated long episodes over an arbitrary number of years and their return periods in terms of the Poisson distribution model. Moreover, power spectra are derived for anomalies relative to the 50% decile at monthly and seasonal scale. The spectral estimates obtained are then compared with theoretical spectra deduced from possible Markovian or random behaviour of the time series of anomalies. Finally, the significant spectral peaks are discussed and compared with other significant spectral components deduced for some areas of the Mediterranean domain. Received November 11, 1999 Revised February 28, 2000     

Climatic conditions in the Alps in the years about the year of Hannibal's crossing (218 BC)

Hannibal and his force (troops, pack animals and elephants) crossed the Alps from France to Italy in the autumn of 218 BC. An examination of treering density and glacier data for the Alps indicates that the year of crossing fell into a period when temperature conditions were much the same and, perhaps, slightly milder than those of the current century since about 1920 - a perid of almost worldwide warming. Absolutely dated tree-ring data for southern Central Europe corroborate that the growing periods of 218 BC and neighboring years were mild.As to the autumn month when the crossing was accomplished, temperature conditions favor the month of September. In the area of the passes, one of which was selected by Hannibal for the traversal at the approximate altitudes of 2000–2500 m MSL, the temperatures are, in the mean below freezing from about mid-October. The ancient historians (Polybius, Livy and others) do not mention frosbite casualties. Below-freezing temperatures would have seriously affected troops coming from North Africa and southern Spain. Presumably, temperatures were above freezing during the ascent phase and the rest of two days on the pass.By the 3rd century BC the Alpine glaciers were in a backward position compared with their position in 900-350 BC. This fact and the mildness of the climate, inferred from tree-ring analyses, suggest that ice conditions were not severe in the Alps in 218 BC.The author has been visiting with the Department of Meteorology, University of Copenhagen, since 1986.     

Fog collection in the western Mediterranean basin (Valencia region, Spain)

Four different mountainous locations were selected in the Valencia region, East coast of the Iberian Peninsula, for fog water collection studies. Data for 2004 were obtained by means of an instrument ensemble consisting essentially of a passive cylindrical fog water collector, a raingauge, a wind direction and velocity sensor and a temperature and humidity probe. An approximate data reduction technique was also found for this specific ensemble to eliminate the simultaneous rain water component from the fog water measurements. Main results indicate that fog water collection holds significant potential in this region, and especially for southern locations. Annual rates of fog water yield can be as high as 7.0 l/m²/day in the southern locations, in contrast to 2.0 l/m²/day collected at one site in a northern location. The highest summer fog water yield was 4.6 l/m²/day, a relatively large value. Except for the summer period, fog episodes delivering sizeable water volumes are inherently coupled to rainfall. Hourly frequencies of fog collection were also examined to show a distinct daily cycle in summer, denoting orographic fog formation during this period. Lastly, winds were analysed to resolve the most suitable directions for fog collector alignment.     

Recent trends in temperature and precipitation over the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Changes in climatic parameters are often given in terms of global averages even though large regional variability is generally observed. The study of regional tendencies provides not only supplementary conclusions to more large-scale oriented results but is also of particular interest to local policy-makers and resource managers to have detailed information regarding sensible and influential climatic parameters. In this study, changes in precipitation for the Balearic Islands (Spain) have been analyzed using data from 18 rain gauges with complete daily time series during the period 1951–2006 and two additional sites where only monthly totals were available. Tendencies for maximum and minimum 2-m temperatures have also been derived using data from three thermometric stations with daily time series for the period 1976–2006. The thermometric stations are located at the head of the runways in the airports of the three major islands of the archipelago, where urbanization has arguably not had a relevant impact on the registered values. The annual mean temperature in the mid-troposphere and lower stratosphere has also been analyzed using the Balearics radiosonde data for the period 1981–2006. Results show there is a negative tendency for annual precipitation (163 mm per century) with 85% significance on the sign of the trend. An abrupt decrease in mean yearly precipitation of 65 mm is objectively detected in the time series around 1980. Additionally, the analysis shows that light and heavy daily precipitation (up to 4 mm and above 64 mm, respectively) increase their contribution to the total annual, while the share from moderate-heavy precipitations (16–32 mm) is decreasing. Regarding the thermometric records, minimum temperatures increased at a rate of 5.8°C per century during the 31 years and maximum temperatures also increased at a rate of 5.0°C per century, both having a level of statistical significance for the sign of the linear trend above 99%. Temperatures in the mid-troposphere decreased at a rate of ??5.4°C per century while a tendency of ??7.8°C per century is found in the lower stratosphere. The level of statistical significance for the sign of both the tropospheric and stratospheric linear trends is above 98% despite the great inter-annual variability of both series.     

Basic statistical characteristics of hourly rainfall amounts in Barcelona (Spain)

Summary In order to derive some statistical rainfall characteristics applicable to hydrology, data of continuous rainfall rate recordings of a Jardí gauge installed in Barcelona (Spain) have been converted to an hourly precipitation series. From these data, four useful distributions have been obtained and further compared with some theoretical models. It has been found that the duration of events is distributed exponentially. The duration of rainless intervals follow a generalized Pareto distribution, and the cumulative rainfall in the cumulative rain duration is beta distributed. Concerning the distribution of rain amounts, two models can be accepted, depending on the duration of the events. Comparison with a similar study carried out in Farnborough (United Kingdom) indicates that the events are shorter and that the amounts of rain collected in short events are larger in Barcelona.This work was supported by the DGICYT (Project NAT91-0596) and the CCE (Project PL 910104 Environment).With 7 Figures     

Analysis of recent climatic variations in Castile and Leon (Spain)

This paper reports the results of the analysis of annual mean temperature and precipitation series from 171 meteorological stations distributed over Castile and Leon [Castilla y León in Spanish] in Spain on monthly, seasonal and annual time-scales for a 37-year study period (1961–1997). Various statistical tools were used to detect and characterize significant changes in these series. The magnitude of the trends was derived from the slopes of the regression lines using the least squares method, and the statistical significance was determined by means of nonparametric tests. Positive trends of about 0.33 °C in the annual mean temperature were found for the whole period. Mean temperatures increased in spring and winter, the winter trend being statistically significant. The months of December and March also showed significant trends. Decreases in rainfall were found for three seasons (winter, spring and autumn), with statistically significant trends in March. Summer precipitation showed slight increases over the 37-year period. On this basis, the authors consider that the increase in summer precipitation and the decrease in the range of average temperatures between the warmest and the coldest months of the year (continentality), point towards a trend to a more oceanic climate in Castile and Leon.     

新疆物候(候鸟)与气候因子关系分析

通过对新疆10个站4种候鸟物候及相应气候因子变化的关系分析,得出候鸟停留时间与同期日照时数及≥0℃的积温关系密切,并经过数理统计,得出用气候因子预测候鸟停留时间的数学模式,对预知一定生态环境中鸟类的迁徙具有一定指导意义。     

华北平原光合有效辐射的气候学计算方法

通过北京、烟台、郑州、济南等地生长李内对总日射(Q)和光合有效辐射(Q_(PAR))的连续自动记录,发现Q_(PAR)/Q值是比较稳定的,季节和云量对其影响不大。而太阳高度角较低时此值的变化,主要由仪器的余弦响应所引起。以目前总日射表的制造水准尚无法解决余弦响应的干扰问题。通过对实测资料的分析,得到了适合我国华北平原地区的计算公式为Q_(PAR)=0.42Q。过去国外的计算结果系统偏高,本结果与国内外最新研究成果相一致。     

Analysis of daily rainfall processes in lower extremadura (Spain) and homogenization of the data

Summary In this paper we analyze, from the point of view of stochastic processes, daily rainfall data recorded at the Badajoz Observatory (Southwestern Spain) since the beginning of the century. We attempt to identify any periodicities or trends in the daily rainfall occurrences and their dependence structure, and attempt to select the appropriate point stochastic model for the daily rainfall series.Standard regression analysis, graphical methods and the Cramer statistic show a rise in the number of cases of light rain (between 0.1 and 5 mm/d) and a decline in the number of cases of moderate to heavy rain (> 5 mm/d) in the daily rainfall at least at the 5% significance level.That the homogenization process was satisfactory is shown by the mean interarrival time of the homogenized series and the test of the rate of homogenized daily rainfall occurrences. Our analysis also shows that the behavior of the spectra of the homogenized daily rainfall counts is completely different from that of a Poisson process, so that the hypothesis of a non-homogeneous Poisson process is rejected.With 7 Figures