Impacts of projected changes in climate on hydrology

Abstract

Global temperatures are projected to rise by several degrees C over the next century, with more dramatic warming over land masses; precipitation is expected to become more variable with increases in polar regions and decreases in mid-latitude areas. Such changes in climate will have major impacts on hydrology, with more flooding expected in humid regions and more droughts in arid areas. Warming is also causing rapid shrinking of glaciers and decline of snowpack that are important to water supplies around the world. Such climate changes are likely to cause additional stress on water resources in many areas of the world at the same time demands are expected to increase due to population growth.