Trends and abrupt changes of precipitation maxima in the Pearl River basin, China

Abstract

We applied the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and Bayesian model to systematically explore trends and abrupt changes of the precipitation series in the Pearl River basin. The results showed that no significant trends were detected for annual precipitation and summer or winter precipitation totals. Significant negative trends were identified for the number of rainy days across the Pearl River basin; significant positive trends were observed regarding precipitation intensity (PI). In particular, the precipitation totals and frequencies of extremely high precipitation events are subject to significant positive trends. In addition, the number of extremely low precipitation events was also increasing significantly. Factors affecting the changes in precipitation patterns are the weakening Asian monsoon and consequently increasing moisture transport to Southern China and the Pearl River basin. In summary, the main findings of this study are: (1) increased precipitation variability and high-intensity rainfall was observed though rainy days and low-intensity rainfall have decreased, and (2) the amount of rainfall has changed little but its variability has increased over the time interval divided by change points. These finds indicate potentially increased risk for both agriculture and in locations subject to flooding, both urban and rural, across the Pearl River basin.

Analysing monthly sectorial water use and its influence on salt intrusion induced water shortage in urbanized deltas

“…Both precipitation in the PRB and discharge of the Pearl River are found to either show no significant trend (S. Zhang et al, 2008;W. Zhang et al, 2009), or even to show significant increases in dry season (Y. D. Chen, Zhang, Chen, & Wang, 2012;Q. Zhang et al, 2009).…”

<strong>Changes in Diurnal Temperature and Precipitation Extremes in North Central Region of Nigeria</strong>

“…Populations in less developed countries are more likely to be in danger due to floods as a result of extreme precipitations [17]. On a global scale, extreme precipitation events filliped by thunderstorm activity, increased moisture levels in the atmosphere, and flash flooding appear to occur more frequently and these extreme events have been widely reported [16,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Due of the excess water vapor in the atmosphere, increase in temperature is reported to be associated with the current increment in extreme precipitation events [7].…”

Trends, Periodicities and Discontinuities of Precipitation in the Huangfuchuan Watershed, Loess Plateau, China

“…For more details on the MK test, readers may refer to Zhang et al 17 . Here, we employ the MK test for studying annual and seasonal trends and to identify abrupt changes in precipitation trends within the Huangfuchuan Watershed.…”