Fate of Rainfall over the North Indian States of India in the
1.5{degree sign}C and 2{degree sign}C Warming Scenarios
Abstract
The rise in mean temperature put a great deal of uncertainty about how
weather and climate extremes may play out, particularly in India’s
varied climatic zones. Consequently, it is important to understand the
possible changes in both magnitude and direction of weather and climate
extremes like rainfall for different warming levels of 1.5 and 2 °C
scenarios concerning preindustrial and present levels. Hence in the
present study, the precipitation behavior of seven North Indian states
i.e., Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
and Uttarakhand carefully studied using observations and CMIP5 models.
Future projection of precipitation has been done for two warming levels
of 1.5 and 2 °C scenarios. Along with model validation and future
projection of precipitation, the return period of extreme rainfall is
also discussed to understand the behavior of the occurrence of extreme
precipitation. Statistical analysis shows that the ensemble means have
the least error as compared to the other six CMIP5 models. Therefore,
future analysis has been done with the ensemble mean. Our findings show
that the precipitation is likely to decrease in the 1.5°C scenarios,
while it is likely to increase in the 2°C scenarios. The occurrence and
intensity of extreme rainfall events are likely to be more frequent in
all the models. The return period of the extreme rainfall events is
likely to increase in all the states in both the warming scenarios. A
three-fold rise is likely to increase extreme rainfall events in the 2
oC scenario.