Potential future changes of the diurnal precipitation properties over Sweden

• In this study we investigate potential future changes of the diurnal rainfall cycle over Sweden in the summer season (AMJJAS). Rainfall extremes are one of the most significant natural hazards related to climate. Precipitation characteristics strongly influence crops, soil properties, run-off and erosion, as well as human infrastructure such as the drainage systems in urban areas. The investigation of sub-daily rainfall records makes it possible to get detailed information about the diurnal precipitation cycle. A high-quality 1-hourly precipitation database covering 13 years of observations from 93 stations is available. In previous studies it could be shown that there is a distinct temporal and spatial pattern of the diurnal rainfall cycle. The performance of the Rossby Centre regional climate model (RCA3) in terms of simulating the observed diurnal cycle was investigated and the simulations quite realistically captured the general characteristics of the diurnal cycle. The diurnal cycle can be characterized by the presence of a peak, its timing and its shape. A higher and narrower peak means higher rainfall intensity on a shorter timescale. In contrast, a flatter and wider peak reflects a smaller temporal diurnal variability and lower rainfall intensity.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Klimatforskning (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Climate Research (hsv//eng)

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