Author(s): Fatima E. Santo; M. Isabel P. De Lima; Alvaro Silva; Vanda Pires
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Keywords: Precipitation; Drought; Flood; Trend; Spatio-temporal variability
Abstract: The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is a simple tool for monitoring the development and persistence of dry and wet events, which can lead to drought and enhance floods. This index is calculated at different scales to assess the spatio-temporal variability of dry/wet conditions in mainland Portugal using monthly precipitation data from 53 stations (1941-2012). The annual SPI shows a significant increase in the extent of dry extremes and a non-significant decrease in the extent of wet extremes. For shorter time scales the behaviour depends on the season. Results underline potential applications for water resources management.
Year: 2014