Variations of surface temperature and precipitation in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan from 1955 to 2010
Paper Details
Variations of surface temperature and precipitation in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan from 1955 to 2010
Abstract
This study characterizes precipitation and temperature variability for the whole region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), covering winter dominated high mountain region. Trend analyses of the historical data for the period 1955-2010 show that winter season temperatures have increased in this region during the past 55 years. Relatively higher increase in maximum winter temperatures was observed, whereas minimum temperatures during winter showed a slight decline which is negligible. These results suggest that days have become warmer whereas nights have become cooler during the winter season in the high mountain areas. Monsoon temperatures have also decreased in this region. More interestingly, average temperatures in the transitional periods “October-November” and “April-May” are at a rising trend. The results indicate that the maximum temperatures have increased all around the year last 55 years. Precipitation has also increased in GB. The paper included an annual and seasonal analysis for the periods 1955-2000 & 2001-2010 to compare variability in climate parameters in previous century (available data) to the recent decade of 21st century. This showed that recent decade is 0.33oC warmer than that of previous half century, and precipitation trend is much greater, i.e. 5.013mm per year than that of previous rate 1.045mm per year. However, these rising temperature trends may increase the melting of glaciers and snow, reduce snow accumulation during winter and enhance the overall de-glaciations process and therefore could well endanger the country’s sustained sources of fresh water from glaciers and snow melting.
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