Rainfall to decrease over Iberian Peninsula

Scientists have recorded a decline in winter precipitation over the past 60 years in Spain, and they now forecast that precipitation will also decrease in spring and summer. A team from the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC) has studied rainfall data from 1950 to 2006 and the climate projections for coming decades, showing that less rain will fall in future over the Iberian Peninsula. However, precipitation will continue to be more frequent in winter than in spring-summer.
The research, published recently in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, studied variability and climate change in the Mediterranean region. According to the scientists, significant changes have taken place over this area, with disparate effects being noted over the course of the year, and “uniform patterns” identified in the evolution of rain over time. In addition to the changes in the amounts of precipitation falling, Lopez-Moreno says “the climate models suggest new changes will take place over the coming decades”.

Scientists are predicting a significant decline in rainfall throughout the entire Mediterranean basin, above all in spring and summer. However, observations from the past 50 years and predictions for coming decades do not show up any changes in seasonal rain distribution patterns. The research team says “while the changes observed have now been identified, they are not great enough to alter the general pattern of rainfall distribution throughout the year”

Physorg