Abstract
The Alps play a vital role in the water supply of the region through the rivers Danube, Rhine, Po and Rhone while they are crucial to the ecosystem. Over the past two centuries, we witnessed the temperature to increase by +2 degrees, which is approximately three times higher than the global average. Under this study, the Alps are analyzed using regional climatic models for possible projections in order to understand the climatic changes impact on the water cycle, particularly on runoff. The scenario is based on assumptions of future greenhouse gases emissions. The regional model results show the consistent warming trend in the last 30-year span: temperature in winter may increase by 3 to 4.5°C and summers by 4 to 5.5°C. The precipitation regime may also be altered: increasing about 10-50% in winter and decreasing about 30-60% in summer. The changes in the amount of precipitation are not uninformed. Differences are observed particularly between the North West and South East part of the Alps. Due to the projected changes in alpine rainfall and temperature patterns, the seasonality of alpine flow regime will also be altered: massive rise will occur in winter and a significant reduction in summer. The typical low flow period during winter will also be shifted to late summer and autumn.
Highlights
Abdul Hannan ShaikhAbstract—The Alps play a vital role in the water supply of the region through the rivers Danube, Rhine, Po and Rhone while they are crucial to the ecosystem
The Alps, spanning over the central part of Europe, play a key role in the water supply of the region
FUTURE PROJECTIONS The regional climate model (CLM) shows consistent warming trends during the last 30 years of the 21st century: the mean alpine temperature in winters may rise by 3 to 4.5°C and in summers by 4 to 5.5°C depending on the greenhouse-gas emission scenario A2 [28]
Summary
Abstract—The Alps play a vital role in the water supply of the region through the rivers Danube, Rhine, Po and Rhone while they are crucial to the ecosystem. The Alps are analyzed using regional climatic models for possible projections in order to understand the climatic changes impact on the water cycle, on runoff. The regional model results show the consistent warming trend in the last 30-year span: temperature in winter may increase by 3 to 4.5°C and summers by 4 to 5.5°C. The precipitation regime may be altered: increasing about 1050% in winter and decreasing about 30-60% in summer. Due to the projected changes in alpine rainfall and temperature patterns, the seasonality of alpine flow regime will be altered: massive rise will occur in winter and a significant reduction in summer. The typical low flow period during winter will be shifted to late summer and autumn
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
