Future changes in the distribution of daily precipitation totals across North America.

Wilby, Rob L. and Wigley, T. M. L. (2002) Future changes in the distribution of daily precipitation totals across North America. Geophysical Research Letters, 29 (7). p. 1135. ISSN 1944-8007

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Abstract

Shape and scale parameters of the two-parameter gamma distribution were estimated for daily distributions of precipitation at individual grid-points in two General Circulation Models (HadCM2 and CSM). Maps of changing parameter distributions under anthropogenic forcing show the extent to which future precipitation scenarios for North America are consistent with observed trends in the 20th century. The scale parameter is found to be more variable, both spatially and temporally, than the shape parameter. Patterns of changes in mean wet-day amounts are strongly correlated with changes in the scale parameter. While the two models show quite different results for the spatial patterns of change, both indicate that the proportion of total precipitation derived from extreme and heavy events will continue to increase relative to moderate and light precipitation events.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Geophysical Research Letters
Additional Information:
This paper investigates the consistency between observed and climate model projections of extreme daily rainfall across North America. In line with historic trends, it is shown that the proportion of total rainfall contributed by heavy downpours is expected to increase with concomitant implications for flood risk management. RAE_import_type : Journal article RAE_uoa_type : Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1900/1908
Subjects:
?? geophysicsgeneral earth and planetary sciencesearth and planetary sciences(all)ge environmental sciences ??
ID Code:
2237
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
04 Apr 2008 13:37
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Jul 2024 08:23