Spatio-temporal analysis of present and future precipitation responses over South Germany

Assessment of future precipitation responses is crucial for various sectors which include tourism, agriculture, and energy yield. The study is focused on south Germany and aims to analyse the future spatio-temporal responses of annual and seasonal precipitation. Future precipitation data were derived and analysed from a number of Regional Climate Models (RCMs), while climate simulations were performed for the future periods 2021–2050 and 2071–2100, under the A1B and B1 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission scenarios. Spatial interpolation and distribution of precipitation was performed using the ordinary Kriging method within ArcGIS 10.2.1. The results indicated that precipitation in south Germany is expected to increase for both applied scenarios by 10–12%. Seasonal analysis indicated that with the exception of the summer season (JJA), where precipitation by the end of the century is expected to face an 8–16% reduction, in general it will show an increase in the upcoming years. Spatial analysis indicated that areas located on the highlands will face significant reductions that will reach up to 20%. Conversely, areas located in the lowlands will have increased precipitation. The increase in precipitation amount can have a direct positive impact on the sustainable development of tourism, agriculture, energy yield and water resources in south Germany.