Recent trends of mean and extreme precipitation in Korea

Abstract

Abstract The spatial and temporal variability of precipitation in Korea were investigated using 183 weather station data for 1973–2005. A set of 16 indices that represent mean and extreme values of precipitation data were estimated using daily precipitation data, linear and spatial trend relationships of the indices were analysed using the Mann–Kendall test and Moran's I test statistic, respectively. Results demonstrate that annual precipitation data have a significant positive trend and there is a strong spatial relationship in their variability. The increase of annual precipitation is mainly associated with the increase of frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation during summer season. However, precipitation during spring and winter seasons had a decreasing trend. This variation of precipitation is likely to increase flood and drought risk. It means that the increase of annual precipitation should not be helpful for water resources management but could be a burden to river management and dam operation in Korea. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society