Large-scale exploratory analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution of climate projections: applying the STRIVIng toolbox

Abstract

Extreme hydrological events (EHEs), such as droughts and floods, vary spatially and temporally in nature. The increase in the number of events in the last few decades has motivated the research of the spatiotemporal variability of the future extreme precipitation and temperature. To study the consequences on the EHEs due to the uncertainty of projected climate changes, the analysis in more detail of precipitation and temperature, in space and time, is vital. In addition, for proper planning and decision-making process to address EHEs, understanding such climate changes requires more information. In this chapter we present a summarized assessment of the spatiotemporal variations of climate projections. A simplified way to aggregate global data is used for the spatiotemporal analysis of precipitation and temperature. To carry out this analysis, the Spatio-TempoRal distribution and Interannual VarIability of projections (STRIVIng) toolbox is proposed for statistical exploratory analysis of climate projections. Three large-scale applications were carried out for illustration: Dominican Republic (48,670 km²), Mexico (1,972,550 km²), and Amazon basin (6,171,148.7 km²). The methodology and toolbox presented here allow regions to be identified where the changes are expected to be more severe on precipitation and temperature, as well as months in which those changes are likely to occur. The STRIVIng toolbox is open source and helps to provide basic information to increase the interpretations and research in the space–time analysis of extremes.