Change in Winter Precipitation Regime across Ontario, Canada

Abstract

The focus of this study is to investigate the effects of climate change on the hydrologic regimes in Ontario, Canada. The variables include total precipitation, the form of precipitation (snowfall and rainfall), and the temperature during winter. The winter season is hydrologically significant for Canadian conditions. The historical data for 70 years, from 1939 to 2008, on total precipitation, snowfall, rainfall, and temperature over the winter period were analyzed using least-squares regressions, Alexandersson’s Standard Normal Homogeneity Test, and the Mann–Kendall test for 13 stations across Ontario to identify positive and negative trends and their significance. The analysis of the precipitation indices reveals no significant trend in the winter total precipitation, decreasing trends in winter snowfall, and increasing trends in winter rainfall. The snowy day analysis depicts a large scatter across the province, with the number ranging from 40 days to 80 days, which shows that the number of snowy days varies considerably over the years at all stations. The analysis showed that the change in snowy-rainy days is attributed to the significant upward trend of the daily mean winter minimum temperature for almost all the stations. Therefore, the changes in the form of precipitation during winter may affect water management including streamflow, tile drainage flow, soil erosion, sediment and nutrient transport to surface water bodies, and the effectiveness of best management practices being used for managing non-point source pollution.