Sensitivity Analysis of Extreme Daily Rainfall Depth in Summer Season on Surface Air Temperature and Dew-Point Temperature

Abstract

Looking at future data obtained from global climate models, it is expected that future extreme rainfall will increase in many parts of the world. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation provides a physical basis for understanding the sensitivity of rainfall in response to warming, but the relationship between rainfall and temperature is still uncertain. The purpose of this study is to analyze the sensitivity of extreme daily rainfall depth during the summer season (June–September) to climate change in Korea. The relationship between the observed extreme daily rainfall depth and the surface air temperature (SAT) and dew-point temperature (DPT), which were observed in the 60 sites of the Korea Meteorological Administration, were analyzed. The same analysis was also performed using future data provided in various climate models. In addition, the future trends of extreme rainfall, SAT, and DPT were analyzed using future data obtained from climate models, and the effects of increasing SAT and DPT on future extreme rainfall changes were investigated. Finally, it has been confirmed that using changes in SAT and DPT to look at changes in future extreme rainfall can give more consistent future projection results than using future rainfall data directly.