Precipitation dynamics in southern Spain: trends and cycles

The temporal variability of precipitation in southern Spain was analysed to detect trends and cycles. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether there has been a decrease in precipitation in southern Spain and (2) to evaluate if any decrease is related to temporal cycles or is a well‐defined trend. The study was based on analysis of data series from nine monitoring stations in the Andalusia area of the Spanish Mediterranean. The Pettit test and temporal variability analyses were carried out using the temporal databases (1960–2006) from the selected stations. The results indicate that (1) there were significant differences in precipitation throughout the study period based on the location of the stations; (2) a negative trend in precipitation was observed for the east coast and inland stations, and an increasing trend in precipitation was observed for stations on the west coast; and (3) a general decreasing trend in seasonal precipitation, especially in winter, autumn, and spring, was observed for all stations except those on the west coast. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society