EVALUATION OF THE TIME-SPACE DISTRIBUTION OF ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATION IN THE KUR-ARAS PLAIN IN THE AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC

Abstract

Characteristics of the space and time changes in the amount of precipitation in the Kura-Aras lowland were studied in the research paper. The precipitation data of the hydrometeorological station covering a decade from 1992 to 2022 was utilized in the analyses. To conduct research, the mathematical-statistical and cartographic methods were used. According to the conducted research, the amount of precipitation in the Kura-Aras lowland is 310 mm. 40% of the total amount of precipitation rains during the warm semi-period, while 60% falls in the cold semi-period in the lowland. The amount of precipitation decreases from the coastal areas to the plains during the cold, while in the warm period, this process occurs oppositely. It was determined that atmospheric precipitation decreased in January, March, April, May, June, August, October, November and December, and this indicator increased in February, July and September. The annual indicator of the amount of precipitation in the plain decreased by 10% during the years 1991-2022 compared to the base quantity (1961-1990). 18% of the total precipitation was in the range of 10-19 mm, and 16% was in the range of 20-29 mm. Compared to the norm, in the period 1991-2022, in the Kura-Aras lowland, a 19% decrease was recorded in monthly recurrences of precipitation above 50 and 60 mm, and a 15% decrease in precipitation above 70 mm. The research results can be used in the establishment of novel economic areas in the lowland, in the development of maps, economic assessment and mitigation measures against climate change.