Changes in the characteristics of precipitation over northern Eurasia

Based on observed daily precipitation data, this study investigates the changes in the characteristics of precipitation over northern Eurasia during 1951-2010. Over the majority of northern Eurasia (east of 20A degrees E), the light precipitation days and amounts decrease, but those for the moderate, heavy, and very heavy precipitation increase. Moreover, the precipitation intensity increases, which is responsible for the decrease in light precipitation days and amount and increase in relatively more intense precipitation since there is no significant trend in total precipitation days. However, the precipitation characteristics are opposite over the Iberian Peninsula. We find that the changes in precipitation characteristics are possibly due to the changes in static stability. In the majority region (the Iberian Peninsula), the static stability weakens (strengthens) during 1951-2010. When static stability weakens (strengths), the upward motion increases (decreases) and thus the precipitation intensity increases (decreases). Accordingly, the light precipitation events decrease (increase) and heavy precipitation events increase (decrease).