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Trend analysis of statistically downscaled precipitation for tropical semi-arid climate
  • Kanhu Panda,
  • Laxmi Thakural,
  • Ram Singh
Kanhu Panda
Banaras Hindu University Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University

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Laxmi Thakural
National Institute of Hydrology
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Ram Singh
Banaras Hindu University Institute of Agricultural Sciences
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Abstract

The coarse resolution climatic data extracted from the global climate models (GCM) cannot be utilised straightaway for research works on climate change impact analysis. Thus, the downscaling technique is used to attain a higher resolution scenario from the GCM. In the current study, the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma)-GCM is used to predict monthly precipitation using the statistical downscaling technique for the tropical semi-arid region of Eastern Gujarat for the period 2019-2099. Geo-potential height (h500) and mean sea level pressure (MSLP) are chosen as explanatory variables for the downscaling model. The model is developed using the principal component analysis (PCA) - multiple linear regression (MLR) combined approach. The model is applied to predict rainfall for three representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios, RCP2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5. The best-suited scenario for the study area is selected using robust statistical indicators such as the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency and the root mean square error. Several parametric and nonparametric tests are conducted to analyse rainfall trends in the Eastern Gujarat region. The outcomes showed that the precipitation scenario produced for RCP4.5 replicates the climatology of the region suitably. The trend investigation of the predicted rainfall showed that the significance of the seasonal trend is independent of the significance of monthly trends. Trend analysis of downscaled precipitation series can report multiple change points for a region. Further, the annual rainfall increases tremendously in the tropical semi-arid regions over the 21st century. This study will provide insights into sustainable water resource management and development.