Changes in extreme precipitation patterns in the southern lowland regions of Europe during the 1951–2019 period

The aim of our study is to analyse the spatial patterns and temporal trends of average and extreme precipitation events in a few selected plain regions between 1951 and 2019. Besides the Great Hungarian Plain we chose two plain regions located in the southern part of the continent (i.e. the Po Valley and the Romanian Plain) with the purpose of comparing similar geographical regions, and creating a scientific basis to comprehensively analyse the effects of climate change on economy, society, and nature. For choosing the plains, objective criteria were used, namely, (i) the elevation remains under 200 m throughout the defined area, and (ii) the difference between the neighbouring grid points within the plain region does not exceed 50 m. The analysis of extreme precipitation events was performed for annual periods by calculating 17 climate indices. Based on our research of the past, there is a clear increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events, in the length of dry periods as well as in the occurrence of extreme weather events.

Keywords: climate change, extreme precipitation, Pannonian Plains, Po Valley, Romanian Plains