An estimate of the effects of climate change on the rainfall of Mediterranean Spain by the late twenty first century

The study uses a GCM (ECHAM-OPYC3) and the association between the atmospheric circulation at 925 and 500 hPa and the distribution of daily precipitation for Mediterranean Spain (from earlier analyses) to give estimates of the probable annual precipitation for the late twenty first century. A down-scaling technique is used which involves the matching of daily circulation output from the model for a sequence of years in the late twentieth century (1971-90) and for a corresponding period in the late twenty first century (2080-99) to derive probable regional atmospheric pattern (AP) frequencies for this latter period, and thence to estimate likely changes in annual precipitation. Model days are classified by searching for the closest analogue amongst 19 previously identified APs from an earlier study. Future annual precipitation distribution is derived using previously established relationships between circulation type and daily precipitation distribution. Predicted AP frequencies and precipitation amounts and distribution are compensated by comparing model output with ECMWF data for a decade (1984-93) within the 1971-90 sequence, so that the analysis also provides a verification of the performance of the model. In general the agreement between model output and actual AP frequencies is very good for the present day, though for this southerly region the model appears slightly to underestimate the frequency of easterly type circulations, many of which yield some of the most significant autumn severe storm rainfalls along the Mediterranean coast. The model tends to over-estimate the frequency of westerly type situations. The study utilises a 'moving window' technique in an attempt to derive measures of inter-decadal variability within the two 20 year periods. This avoids use of data from outside the periods, which would incorporate changing AP frequencies during a period of sustained climate change. Quite pronounced changes in frequency are indicated for certain APs. Marked decreases in frequency are indicated for many near-surface circulations with a westerly or northerly component. For APs with an easterly component, some are shown to increase, others to decrease. Increases in inter-decadal variability are strongly indicated for most APs, though for some easterly situations there is no clear signal. A significant annual precipitation reduction of between 6 to 14% is indicated for Andalucia and the upland parts of Cataluna. In contrast, there is an increase in annual totals of up to 14% along parts of the coast between Almeria and the French border.