Trends in Precipitation Variability: Prague (The Czech Republic)

Variability in precipitation at scales from 1 to 10 days was investigated with the use of the time series measured at Prague-Sporilov (the Czech Republic) between 1994 and 2001. Variability was detected by the method of absolute difference in precipitation between two adjacent discrete time periods. The results indicated a general increase in precipitation variability at all investigated scales within the 8-yr observational period. The variability patterns also showed quasi-seasonal variations. The summer wetter season proved to be the most variable. The analysis was accomplished by the investigations of precipitation variability at a monthly scale based on a century-long historical time record. On a longer time perspective, precipitation variability exhibits a general increase interrupted by quasi-decadal oscillations. The range of quasi-decadal variability has become more pronounced after about 1950, the fact that hints the possibility of further intensification of the hydrologic cycle. An obtained significant correlation between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) activity and precipitation variability implies that the NAO may account for a large fraction of precipitation variability. Higher NAO-index values tend to be associated with low variability. The variability investigations may have a certain implication for climate change assessments both at the local scales as well as associated with the build-up of greenhouse gases.