Climate Extremes Lead to Divergent Variabilities in Snow Regimes From Headwater to Downstream
Abstract Snow‐dominated river basins are highly sensitive to climate variations, threatening water security for over a billion people globally. Yet the interaction and cause between climate extremes and hydrological processes from the headwater to the downstream remain insufficiently understood. Her...
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| Auteurs principaux: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Langue: | anglais |
| Publié: |
Wiley
2025-07-01
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| Collection: | Water Resources Research |
| Sujets: | |
| Accès en ligne: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2025WR040004 |
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| Résumé: | Abstract Snow‐dominated river basins are highly sensitive to climate variations, threatening water security for over a billion people globally. Yet the interaction and cause between climate extremes and hydrological processes from the headwater to the downstream remain insufficiently understood. Here we investigate monthly and annual climate extremes shift hydrological regime during 1985–2014 across the up‐, mid‐, and downstream regions within the Ishikari River Basin (IRB), as the crucial area for water supply, agriculture, and energy production in Hokkaido, Japan. Results showed a basin‐wide increased daily temperature range (DTR) amplified shifts in snowmelt and snowfall processes. Meanwhile, divergent trends of precipitation extremes intensity (increased maximum 1‐day/5‐day precipitation (RX1day/RX5day) in mid‐ and upstream areas while decreased in downstream) led to the decline of snowmelt and snowfall in mid‐ and upstream areas while increasing downstream. Interestingly, when DTR falls below 10°C and RX1day or RX5day exceeds 50 mm, it can lead to reduced snowmelt or snow accumulation over the IRB. We highlight that the spatial variability of climate extremes and their associated hydrological changes necessitates region‐specific strategies for managing water resources, sustaining agricultural productivity, and protecting ecosystems in snow‐dominated basins. |
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| ISSN: | 0043-1397 1944-7973 |