Regional Model Assessments of Humidification
of Drylands of Russia in 20112030

E. A. Cherenkova

Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

e-mail: lcherenkova@marketresearch.ru

Received May 31, 2013

Abstract—Possible climate and moisture changes on drylands in Russia are studied using the results of numerical
simulations at Regional Climate Model (RCM) of the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory (MGO) in 2011–
2030 compared to the last two decades of the 20th century. It has been revealed that an average temperature
increase is projected at an annual average of 0.6C and summer average of 0.4C (from May to August); the pre-
cipitation increase over most of the territory will not exceed 10%. It is expected that aridity will take place on
almost all dry lands in European Russia in 2011–2030. The results of modeling are consistent with the trend of
changes in the moisturization of the arid lands in Russia using data from weather stations. Thus, the current trend
could be sustained. According to the regional model, continuous humidification in Asian drylands is expected.

Keywords: humidification factor, precipitation, evapotranspiration, regional climate model (RCM), Voeikov
Main Geophysical Observatory (MGO), drylands

DOI: 10.1134/S2079096113040045

Pleiades Publishing home page | journal home page | top

If you have any problems with this server, contact webmaster.