Changes in the maximum daily and multi-day precipitation totals in Slovakia in the current course of the 21st century.

Abstract

<p>Analysis of annual precipitation totals in Slovakia in the last decades of the 20th century and during the 21st century shows a certain, although not very significant, upward trend. Paradoxically, the incidence and severity of the periods with lack of precipitation is also increasing. In this context, it is appropriate to analyze precipitation events resulting in heavy precipitation, whereas one of the consequences of their occurrence is an increase in high daily, resp. multi-day precipitation totals. This paper presents analysis of new record values of the maximum daily, resp. multi-day precipitation totals in Slovakia recorded in the period 2001-2021 with focus on the comparison with previous record values from the period 1951-2000 on more than 450 precipitation stations. The analysis was performed on annual and seasonal time series ​​of maximum daily and multi-day total precipitation totals. The paper presents results of the analysis for those months in which the changes were most significant. Remarkable is, in particular, the increase in the values ​​of the analyzed characteristics of precipitation during the whole winter season (XII – II). Similar development was also detected in other seasons, but was limited to individual months only. The increase in the winter precipitation totals is associated with an increase in air temperature. Warmer atmosphere results not only in the proportional change in the total amount of the solid, liquid and mixed precipitation but modifies character of the winter precipitation. Changes in in the maximum daily and multi-day precipitation totals were more pronounced in the more continental climate of eastern Slovakia.</p>