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Opacity

Rainfall in the Maldives

Key messages:

  • Under a +2°C and a +3°C global warming, an increase in precipitation is projected over the Archipelago
  • The maximum increase is projected at the latitude of Male

Why is the content of this map important?

An increase in precipitation is detrimental to tourism. However, freshwater resources are critical on small islands.

Which sectors are affected by this result?

This result will impact the tourism sector, and potentially fisheries in some capacity as well.

What is shown on the maps?

Under present climate conditions, annual precipitation is about 1500 mm across the region. The precipitation increase is less homogeneous, ranging from 300 mm in the North and the South of the domain, to 500 mm in the middle. This is a huge increase, and the 3 models agree on this. At the +3°C scenario, this increase is further enhanced and extends mainly towards the North of the region

Details and further information:

The table below shows that precipitation increases by 50% in January-February (dry period) and in July-August (wet period) for +2°C.

Monthly accumulated precipitation over the domain (mm)
  J F M A M J J A S O N D
1971-2000 76 41 46 85 150 200 172 154 165 154 138 118
+2°C 113 63 51 94 185 261 250 219 210 185 151

123

 

Additional information:

The climate change indicators have been calculated from the CNRM/CNRM-ARPEGE52, ECEARTH/SMHI-RCA, NORESM/BCCR-WRF331 simulations.

Author:

Michel Déqué

Meteo France (MeteoF), France