Precipitation, humidity and cloudiness in Podgorica (Montenegro) during the period 1951-2018

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a trend analysis of three climate elements: precipitation, cloudiness and humidity. Almost the entire period of instrumental measurements (precipitation and humidity) and visual observations (cloudiness) are covered. In the observed 68-year period , the trend of annual and seasonal precipitation amounts is insignificant. Though, there is a significant decrease in the number of days with precipitation ≥ 1 mm, which implies a movement towards more arid conditions. On the other hand, the number of days with extreme rainfall ≥ 40 and 50 mm is increasing. In Podgorica, the annual statistics of days with snow cover decreases as well. There is also a decrease in the relative humidity and cloudiness, and with both elements the trend is insignificant only in the autumn season. The results of the trend calculation show that the number of gloomy days is more intensively reduced than the number of increasing bright days. In general, the results of the research show that the climate of Podgorica tends to be more arid with more extreme weather events. The climate variations happening in this city are, to small amount, caused by the urbanization process. Podgorica has the character of an urban heat island in a cooler environment, with an average annual intensity of about 0.7°C and the highest in winter (about 0.8°C). The most symptomatic indicator of urbanization is temperature, but anthropogenic heat production in the city (asphalt, constructions, increase of aerosols, etc.) also affects other climate elements. Compared to the non-urban environment, Podgorica has a higher annual rainfall of 100 mm and a lower humidity of 3%, while this difference is not noticeable in the overall cloudiness.

Changes in temperature and precipitation in the instrumental period (1951–2018) and projections up to 2100 in Podgorica (Montenegro)

“…Burić and Doderović (2019) performed a detailed analysis of precipitation, humidity and cloudiness for Podgorica for the period 1951–2018. Here we will briefly mention some of the results the authors revealed concerning precipitation.…”

“…Trend of projected annual and seasonal rainfall in Podgorica for the period 2011–2100 according to the RCP8.5 scenario of ALADIN (A), HIRHAM (H) and RACMO (R) models (significantly: * p < .05; + p < .1) Table S1 . Trend of seasonal and annual sums of precipitation and annual precipitation indices, Podgorica 1951–2018 (retrieved from Burić and Doderović, 2019) Table S2 . Differences (°C) in average annual and seasonal temperature projections of ALADIN (A), HIRHAM (H) and RACMO (R) for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenario for Podgorica Table S3 .…”

Biodiversity of Phototrophs and Culturable Fungi in Gobustan Caves

“…Observations carried out in Montenegro have demonstrated the absence of ferns in the photic zones of caves [ 5 , 37 ], while in the caves of the Caucasus region, ferns are an obligatory component of the vegetation of the caves entrance zone [ 8 , 39 , 40 ]. This can be associated with higher temperatures, less precipitation in the summer season, and lower humidity in Montenegro, where precipitation rates are decreasing [ 41 ]. No ferns were found in the entrance zones of the caves and grottoes of Gobustan, which confirms the decrease in the number of species that need high humidity in the photic zones of caves in an arid climate.…”

Extreme weather and climate events in Montenegro – case study, November 2019

“…In the area of the Western Balkans, to which Montenegro belongs, to date any trends in seasonal and annual precipitation have been insignificant over the past 5–6 decades (Filipčić et al ., 2014; Luković et al ., 2014; Burić and Doderović, 2019). However, extreme weather events have become more frequent in Serbia (Malinovic‐Milicevic et al ., 2016; Anđelković et al ., 2018), Croatia (Mihajlović et al ., 2016) and also in Montenegro (Burić et al ., 2018).…”