Observed changes in precipitation during recent warming: The Czech Republic, 1961–2019

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of precipitation patterns over the territory of the Czech Republic for the 1961–2019 period. Monthly, seasonal and annual series of precipitation totals and numbers of precipitation days were calculated for four altitudinal groups and the entire Czech Republic, based upon the daily precipitation totals recorded by 531 rain‐gauge stations run by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Analysis of series of monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation totals revealed relatively stable fluctuations, while linear trends remained largely insignificant. However, wavelet analysis indicated significant interannual variability on a timescale of 4–8‐years in seasonal and annual series. The minimum in annual variation tended to appear in February (also in January and, at higher altitudes in particular, in April) with the maximum favouring July (but also June and August). The relative proportions of annual totals taken up by winter precipitation increased with altitude, while the proportions for summer precipitation decreased with altitude. Linear trends in the numbers of precipitation days exhibited the most pronounced decreases from April to June, reflected in negative precipitation trends in April–June and positive in July–September. The results obtained are also presented in the broader (central) European context.