Modeling and analysis of rainfall processes in the context of climate change for Mekong, Chi, and Mun River Basins (Thailand)

This paper provides a detailed characterization of the observed daily rainfall series available for the Mekong, Chi, and Mun River Basins in the context of climate change; and describes the linkage between climate simulations given by Global Circulation Models (GCMs) and the local rainfall characteristics using the popular Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM). Observed daily rainfall records at 11 stations in the study area for the 1961–2007 period were considered. Results of characterizing the available rainfall data for the 1961–1990 and 1991–2007 periods show different trends of rainfall characteristics for different locations in the study area. However, a consistent increase in the annual maximum number of consecutive dry days (CDD) was observed in the Chi catchment area, the eastern part of the Mun watershed, and the western portion of the Mekong River Basin. In addition, decrease in the annual maximum daily rainfall (AMDR) was found in most locations of the study area, except for the central part of the Chi and Mun River Basins. Moreover, it has been shown in this paper that the SDSM could adequately describe the basic statistical and physical characteristics of the observed rainfall processes for the calibration (1961–1975) and validation (1976–1990) periods. This statistical downscaling method was then used to project future rainfall characteristics for the 1961–2099 period using the climate simulations given by the UK HadCM3 (HadCM3) model under A2 and B2 scenarios (HadCM3A2 and HadCM3B2), and by the Canadian GCM3 (CGCM3) model under A2 and A1B scenarios (CGCM3A2 and CGCM3A1B). In general, the projected trends of rainfall characteristics by both HadCM3 and CGCM3 were found to be consistent with the observed historical trends. However, there was a large difference in the projection results given by these two models. This would indicate the presence of high uncertainty in climate simulations provided by different GCMs. In addition, the climate change impacts on the flood and drought problems in the study area were shown using the CDD and AMDR indices of 100-year return period.

► We characterize observed daily rainfalls and describe the SDSM linkage between GCM climate simulations and local rainfall properties.
► The linked SDSM could adequately describe the basic and physical characteristics of the observed rainfalls.
► The projected trends of rainfall characteristics by both HadCM3 and CGCM3 were found to be consistent with the observed historical trends.
► The climate simulations of HadCM3 and CGCM3 were highly uncertain due to the large difference between their projection results.