Tendencias de la precipitación en el norte grande de Chile y su relación con las proyecciones de cambio climático

Abstract

The precipitation trends in the Norte Grande region in Chile are analysed using the Mann-Kendall non-parametric test and the Sen's trend test, to detect, for 60 available meteorological stations, possible statistically significant (p < 0.01) decadal precipitation changes. Results show that the Altiplano is the region where a significant reduction of annual precipitation between 1972 and 2013 could be observed. The Precordillera region records increase trends for Poroma and San Pedro de Atacama. No significant trends were found in the coastal desert region, where hyper arid conditions are maintained. Those results may be compared to the climate change projections to the end of the 21st century. As a conclusion, it's important to keep trends monitoring, increase density of meteorological stations and maintain those already existing.