Climate change in Ireland from precipitation and streamflow observations |
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| Institution: | 1. Institut für Geographiedidaktik, Universität zu Köln, Gronewaldstraße 2, D-50931 Köln, Germany;2. Dieter Kelletat, Institut für Geographiedidaktik, Universität zu Köln, Gronewaldstraße 2, D-50931 Köln, Germany;3. Southern Cross Geoscience, Southern Cross University, Lismore Campus, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia;1. UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, UCD School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Newstead, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland;2. Freshwater Biodiversity, Ecology and Fisheries Research Group (freBEF), UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Education and Research Centre (West) University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland;3. UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland;1. Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA;2. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA;3. United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA;1. Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland;2. UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (Wallingford, Oxon), United Kingdom;3. Civil Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland |
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| Abstract: | On the basis of General Circulation Model (GCM) experiments with increased CO2, many parts of the northern latitudes including western Europe, are expected to have enhanced hydrologic cycles. Using observations of precipitation and streamflow from Ireland, we test for climatic and hydrologic change in this maritime climate of the northeast Atlantic. Five decades of hourly precipitation (at eight sites) and daily streamflow at four rivers in Ireland were investigated for patterns of climate variability. An increase in annual precipitation was found to occur after 1975. This increase in precipitation is most noticeable on the West of the island. Precipitation increases are significant in March and October and are associated with increases in the frequency of wet hours with no change in the hourly intensities. Analysis of streamflow data shows the same trends. Furthermore, analysis of extreme rainfall events show that a much greater proportion of extremes have occurred in the period since 1975. A change also occurred in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index around 1975. The increased NAO since 1975 is associated with increased westerly airflow circulation in the Northeast Atlantic and is correlated with the wetter climate in Ireland. These climatic changes have implications for water resources management particularly flood analysis and protection. |
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