scholarly journals Intra-annual variability of the Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO) and occurrence of extreme torrential rainfall in Catalonia (NE Iberia)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Albert Lopez-Bustins ◽  
Laia Arbiol-Roca ◽  
Javier Martin-Vide ◽  
Antoni Barrera-Escoda ◽  
Marc Prohom
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Sensitive Area ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Annual Variability ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Mediterranean Oscillation

Abstract. In previous studies the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) at daily resolution has proven to constitute an effective tool for analysing the occurrence of episodes of torrential rainfall over eastern Spain. The Western Mediterranean region is therefore a very sensitive area, since climate change can enhance these weather extremes. In the present study we selected the extreme torrential episodes (≥ 200 mm in 24 hours) that took place in Catalonia (NE Iberia) during the 1951–2016 study period (66 years). We computed daily WeMOi values and constructed WeMOi calendars. Our principal results reveal the occurrence of 50 episodes (0.8 cases per year), mainly concentrated in the autumn months. We inferred a threshold of WeMOi ≤ −2 to define an extreme negative WeMO phase at daily resolution. Most of the 50 episodes (60 %) in the study area occurred on days presenting an extreme negative WeMOi value. Specifically, the most negative WeMOi values are detected in autumn, during the second 10-day period of October (11th–20th), coinciding with the highest frequency of extreme torrential events. On comparing the subperiods, we observed a statistically significant decrease in WeMOi values in all months, particularly in late October, and in November and December. No changes in the frequency of these extreme torrential episodes were observed between both subperiods; in contrast, a displacement of the episodes is detected from early to late autumn.

scholarly journals Intra-annual variability of the Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO) and occurrence of extreme torrential precipitation in Catalonia (NE Iberia)

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 2483-2501
Author(s):  
Joan Albert Lopez-Bustins ◽  
Laia Arbiol-Roca ◽  
Javier Martin-Vide ◽  
Antoni Barrera-Escoda ◽  
Marc Prohom
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Principal Result ◽  
Sensitive Area ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Sea Temperature ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Annual Variability ◽  
Mediterranean Oscillation

Abstract. In previous studies the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) at daily resolution has proven to constitute an effective tool for analysing the occurrence of episodes of torrential precipitation over eastern Spain. The western Mediterranean region is a very sensitive area, since climate change can enhance these weather extremes. In the present study we created a catalogue of the extreme torrential episodes (≥200 mm in 24 h) that took place in Catalonia (NE Iberia) during the 1951–2016 study period (66 years). We computed daily WeMOi values and constructed WeMOi calendars. Our principal result reveals the occurrence of 50 episodes (0.8 cases per year), mainly concentrated in the autumn. We confirmed a threshold of WeMOi ≤ −2 to define an extreme negative WeMO phase at daily resolution. Most of the 50 episodes (60 %) in the study area occurred on days presenting an extreme negative WeMOi value. Specifically, the most negative WeMOi values are detected in autumn, from 11 to 20 October, coinciding with the highest frequency of extreme torrential events. On comparing the subperiods, we observed a statistically significant decrease in WeMOi values in all months, particularly in late October and in November and December. No changes in the frequency of these extreme torrential episodes were observed between both subperiods. In contrast, a displacement of the extreme torrential episodes is detected from early to late autumn; this can be related to a statistically significant warming of sea temperature.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Present and Future Climate Change Impacts on Water Availability for Agricultural Systems in the Western Mediterranean Region

Water ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Nguyen ◽  
Laura Mula ◽  
Raffaele Cortignani ◽  
Giovanna Seddaiu ◽  
Gabriele Dono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Systems

Climatology of moisture sources fuelling extreme precipitation in the Western Mediterranean region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damián Insua Costa ◽  
Gonzalo Miguez-Macho ◽  
María Carmen Llasat
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Extreme Precipitation ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Moisture Sources ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Open Question

<p>The Western Mediterranean region (WMR) is usually affected by heavy rainfall, which has been extensively studied in the past because of the enormous impact it causes. However, there is still an open question related to these potentially catastrophic episodes: does the water vapour that feeds precipitation actually come from the Mediterranean Sea? Several studies have pointed to a significant contribution from other moisture sources, but the debate remains open because only a few case studies with disparate findings have been analysed so far. Here we use the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with a coupled moisture tagging capability to simulate over one hundred cases of extreme precipitation in the WMR. In order to detect possible remote moisture sources, we use a domain that covers almost the entire northern hemisphere. Preliminary results show that, although the contribution from the Mediterranean Sea is crucial, the combined contribution from more distant sources in the tropical, subtropical and north Atlantic is higher on average. In some specific cases, a significant part of the humidity may come from sources as far away as the Pacific Ocean. Our findings suggest that when explaining WMR torrential rainfall episodes, the Mediterranean Sea should be generally understood as a precipitation enhancer rather than the main contributor to precipitation.</p>

scholarly journals Torrential rainfall in northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: synoptic patterns and WeMO influence

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Martin-Vide ◽  
A. Sanchez-Lorenzo ◽  
J. A. Lopez-Bustins ◽  
M. J. Cordobilla ◽  
A. Garcia-Manuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Synoptic Patterns ◽  
Daily Data ◽  
Circulation Patterns ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Mediterranean Oscillation

Abstract. This study presents a catalogue of synoptic patterns of torrential rainfall in northeast of the Iberian Peninsula (IP). These circulation patterns were obtained by applying a T-mode Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to a daily data grid (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis) at sea level pressure (SLP). The analysis made use of 304 days which recorded >100 mm in one or more stations in provinces of Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona (coastland area of Catalonia) throughout the 1950–2005 period. The catalogue comprises 7 circulation patterns showing a great variety of atmospheric conditions and seasonal or monthly distribution. Likewise, we computed the mean index value of the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) for the synoptic patterns obtained by averaging all days grouped in each pattern. The results showed a clear association between the negative values of this teleconnection index and torrential rainfall in northeast of the IP. We therefore put forward the WeMO as an essential tool for forecasting heavy rainfall in northeast of Spain.

Torrential rainfall prediction: WeMOTool

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laia Arbiol-Roca
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Pressure Data ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Rainfall Prediction ◽  
Gfs Model ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Mediterranean Oscillation

<p>The Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) presents a statistically significant relationship with the pluviometric totals of the eastern façade of the Iberian Peninsula. Use of the WeMOi at daily resolution has proven to constitute a useful tool for helping to predict torrential rainfall episodes in the east of the peninsula. The present research attempts to determinate which atmospherics circulations defines the WeMOi phases. Also, the WeMOi research has focused on the prediction of it in order to configure itself as a predictive tool, the WeMOTool, for torrential rains associated, especially during the autumn months. The calculation of this index is made using the surface pressure data of the GFS model and is updated with the model outputs at 00h and 12h and up to 144h.</p>

scholarly journals Synoptic causes of torrential rainfall in South-eastern Spain (1941–2017)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Martín-Vide ◽  
M.C. Moreno-García ◽  
J.A. López-Bustins
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Teleconnection Pattern ◽  
Weather Station ◽  
Synoptic Classification ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Mediterranean Oscillation ◽  
Cold Core

The weather types of 68 dates with torrential rainfall (≥200 mm/day) recorded at any weather station in the provinces of Alicante or Murcia during the period between 1941 and 2017 were determined using the Martín-Vide’s 1984 manual synoptic classification. Other relevant synoptic characteristics, as well as the surface pressure, and the value of the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) on which those dates fell were also considered. The results show the high percentage of the Advection from the East with DANA (isolated high-altitude depression) or ‘gota fría’ type, which is present in more than 50% of the events, followed by the Trough type at 500 hPa and the Dynamic or Cold-core Low type, in the torrential rainfalls of South-eastern Spain. Except for the latter type, the average air pressure is close to or higher than normal. The WeMOi was negative for all events, which is consistent with the nature of this teleconnection pattern.

scholarly journals Climate Change, Weather, Housing Precarity, and Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5812
Author(s):  
Mariya Bezgrebelna ◽  
Kwame McKenzie ◽  
Samantha Wells ◽  
Arun Ravindran ◽  
Michael Kral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Review Of Reviews ◽  
The Impact

This systematic review of reviews was conducted to examine housing precarity and homelessness in relation to climate change and weather extremes internationally. In a thematic analysis of 15 reviews (5 systematic and 10 non-systematic), the following themes emerged: risk factors for homelessness/housing precarity, temperature extremes, health concerns, structural factors, natural disasters, and housing. First, an increased risk of homelessness has been found for people who are vulnerably housed and populations in lower socio-economic positions due to energy insecurity and climate change-induced natural hazards. Second, homeless/vulnerably-housed populations are disproportionately exposed to climatic events (temperature extremes and natural disasters). Third, the physical and mental health of homeless/vulnerably-housed populations is projected to be impacted by weather extremes and climate change. Fourth, while green infrastructure may have positive effects for homeless/vulnerably-housed populations, housing remains a major concern in urban environments. Finally, structural changes must be implemented. Recommendations for addressing the impact of climate change on homelessness and housing precarity were generated, including interventions focusing on homelessness/housing precarity and reducing the effects of weather extremes, improved housing and urban planning, and further research on homelessness/housing precarity and climate change. To further enhance the impact of these initiatives, we suggest employing the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA).

Potential of Arabic documentary sources for reconstructing past climate in the western Mediterranean region from AD 680 to 1815

The Holocene ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 095968362110332
Author(s):  
Yassin Meklach ◽  
Chantal Camenisch ◽  
Abderrahmane Merzouki ◽  
Ricardo Garcia Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Climate Extremes ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Historical Documents ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Documentary Sources ◽  
Drought Conditions ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Climate Proxies

Archival records and historical documents offer direct observation of weather and atmospheric conditions and have the highest temporal and spatial resolution, and precise dating, of the available climate proxies. They also provide information about variables such as temperature, precipitation and climate extremes, as well as floods, droughts and storms. The present work studied Arab-Islamic documentary sources covering the western Mediterranean region (documents written by Arab-Islamic historians that narrate social, political and religious history) available for the period AD 680–1815. They mostly provide information on hydrometeorological events. In Iberia the most intense droughts were reported during AD 747–753, AD 814–822, AD 846–847, AD 867–874 and AD 914–915 and in the Maghreb AD 867–873, AD 898–915, AD 1104–1147, AD 1280–1340 and AD 1720–1815 had prevalent drought conditions. Intense rain episodes are also reported.

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