Spatiotemporal variability of hydro-meteorological droughts over the Arabian Peninsula and associated mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: This study examines the spatiotemporal variability of drought and associated physical processes over the Arabian Peninsula (AP). For this purpose, we computed the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) for the period 1951-2020 using the Climate Research Unit and fifth generation ECMWF atmospheric reanalysis datasets. By applying rotated empirical orthogonal function analysis on the SPEI data, we identified four homogeneous and coherent drought regions. The droughts in the northern regions follow a relatively similar temporal evolution as compared to those in the southern region. All four sub-regions of the AP exhibit a significant drying trend (p < 0.01) with an abrupt acceleration in drought frequency and intensity over the last two decades. The increase in droughts is

SUBMITTER: Saharwardi MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11365995 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature