Trends in Heavy Precipitation Across the SCIPP Region

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Investigator(s): Esther White, James Hocker, Mark Shafer
Research Dates: 2011
Affiliate Organization(s): University of Oklahoma

This study examined whether there have been changes in the frequency of 1- day heavy precipitation events in the Southern United States over the past 60-100 years, using data from individual rain gauge stations and climate divisions. The study found that 23% of individual stations across the region showed a postive trend (significant at the 5% level) and that none showed statistically-significant decreases. Nearly all stations exhibit increased frequencies of moderate (1.5-3 inch/day) precipitation, with mixed results for higher thresholds. Northern and eastern parts of the region showed an increase in number of rainy days; Texas showed an overall decrease but an increase in the number of days with high-intensity events (3 inches or greater).

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