Regional Effects of Global Climate Changes in the Ural River Basin

Abstract

The study data obtained on regional climate changes (surface layer temperature and atmospheric precipitation) in the Ural River basin are reported for a 70-year period (1950–2020). Variations in the basic parameters of the regional climate in the basin studied were obtained by standard statistical data analysis, as well as by calculation of the integral climate anomaly indices. Statistically significant linear trend coefficients illustrate a steady increase in the average annual air temperature in the Ural River basin. The largest contribution to the growth of this parameter is made in the first three months of the calendar year (January–March) and the autumn months (October–November). The long-term course of precipitation values is devoid of unidirectional and statistically significant trends. The important macroregional trend is an increase in precipitation during the cold period. In conclusion, it should be noted that the diverse physical and geographical conditions of the regional climate are indicative of a spatially nonuniform response to the global and macroregional changes.