engleski

Indices of precipitation extremes in Croatia, 1961–2010

Precipitation data from the period 1961-2010 and from a dense rain-gauge network over Croatia is analysed for spatial characteristics of trends in annual and seasonal precipitation amounts and in precipitation indices. Besides large spatial variability, the region is characterized by large temporal (seasonal) variability. This study aims to investigate multidecadal changes in precipitation extremes over the small but geophysically complex area of Croatia. Ten precipitation indices are selected to assess the intensity and frequency of extreme events as well as their contribution to annual and seasonal precipitation changes. The results revealed that a decrease in annual precipitation amounts in the mountainous regions and along the Adriatic coast is mainly associated with the increase in the frequency of dry days and with the decrease in frequency of moderate wet and very wet days. Contribution of light rainfall increased while that of heavy and very heavy rainfall events (R75-95T and R95T) differs strongly for the sub-regions. The insignificant increase in annual precipitation in the eastern lowland is associated with the significant increase in autumn precipitation amounts as well as with more moderate wet and very wet days ; then with small positive trend in dry days ; and heterogeneous distribution of trends in R75-95T and R95T. This analysis widens the knowledge about precipitation variability and changes in the region of the northern Mediterranean.

indices of precipitation extremes; trend; Croatia

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