Stationarity of Monthly Rainfall Series, Since the Middle of the XIXth Century. Application to the Case of Peninsular Spain

Based on analysis techniques including homogeneity testsand anomalies and trend analysis, a methodology was developed and applied to nine long monthlyrainfall series of the Peninsular Spain (1859–1997). Lying on the basis of a previousspatial regionalization, these series are considered to be representative for this area. Afterstudying the main features of their temporal evolution on a regional scale, results have been comparedto those procured by other studies within the AMHY/FRIEND project of UNESCO for otherMediterranean regions. The conclusions show that there is no significant trendin the series. On the contrary, a common dry period for whole Spain between 1935 and 1955 thatcoincides with a negative anomaly affecting the Western Mediterranean has been found.