Changes in temporal distribution of precipitation in a Mediterranean area (Tuscany, Italy) 1955–2013

Abstract

This study investigates changes in precipitation regimes in Tuscany (central Italy) over the 1955–2013 period, by using the precipitation concentration index (PCI) and rainfall amount. The PCI is a dimensionless indicator of the temporal concentration of the precipitation. Different statistical methods were applied over the whole period and two independent sub‐periods (1955–1984 and 1985–2013). A p‐value <0.05 was chosen as level of significance for all the statistical tests. Main results, coming from 35 weather stations, did not show statistically significant trends of the PCI on annual basis and during winter. In spring and summer statistically significant increases were found, respectively, in two stations in northern Apennine (+1.6/50 years) and in four stations in central southern inner areas (+2.3/50 years). In autumn one station in northern Apennine showed a significant decrease (−1.9/50 years). Sub‐periods analysis mainly showed higher values of PCI in the recent sub‐period on annual scale (statistically significant along the coast), in spring (significant in northwest and northern Apennine), in summer (significant in central southern inner areas) and during winter (not significant). Considering the year‐to‐year variability of the annual PCI, statistically significant increasing trends were found in the northern part of Tuscany, while decreasing tendencies were observed in the southern one. Concerning annual rainfall, six stations showed statistically significant decreases (−19%/50 years). On monthly basis, two stations exhibited significant decreasing trends in March and two in December (respectively −48% and −37%/50 years). Two significant decreases were observed in both June and July (respectively −53% and −63%/50 years). One station in northern coast showed instead a significant increase in September (+72%/50 years). This investigation represents a further tile in the larger mosaic of analysis of climate change and its different impact on precipitation regime at regional level and supports studies concerning water management in the areas characterized by strong seasonality.

Climate Patterns in the World’s Longest History of Storm-Erosivity: The Arno River Basin, Italy, 1000–2019 CE

“…The estimated scale factor 1 < s < 2 is an upscaling parameter, which is consistent with the assumption that individual sites are fractal elements of the area (e.g., Diodato et al, 2017b). The estimated relative weighting factors a i (i 1, 2, 3) reflect the characteristics of the three stations (e.g., Bartolini et al, 2018). At the low end of the ARB, Vicarello di Volterra (station S 3 ) has the greatest influence on the areal erosivity because it is located upwind of the western currents that are the bearers of heavy rainfall.…”

Linking crop yields in Tuscany, Italy, to large-scale atmospheric variability, circulation regimes and weather types

“…Brunetti et al (2004) observed that in Italy, as for other Mediterranean areas (Alpert et al, 2002), there is a decrease in the number of days with precipitations, despite an increase in rainfall intensity. This trend was also confirmed by studies carried out in Tuscany region by Bartolini et al (2013Bartolini et al ( , 2018, who analysed temporal and spatial changes in precipitation from 1955 to 2013. The study showed how the effects of climate change are evident and have led to a variation in the rainfall regime in recent decades.…”

“…This trend was also confirmed by studies carried out in Tuscany region by Bartolini et al . (2013, 2018), who analysed temporal and spatial changes in precipitation from 1955 to 2013. The study showed how the effects of climate change are evident and have led to a variation in the rainfall regime in recent decades.…”

Affordable Production of Antioxidant Aqueous Solutions by Hydrodynamic Cavitation Processing of Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Needles

“…on the north-eastern slopes of the Apuan Alps mountain range. The average annual climate was characterized by over 2000 mm rainfall [34], and temperature around 10 °C [35]. Local fir species included silver fir and Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ), however only twigs from silver firs were harvested, and the respective needles used for the tests.…”