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Meteorological drought (MDr) causes considerable economic losses in many countries, including in relation to agriculture. To examine the diversity of seasonal meteorological drought in Poland, the study uses monthly precipitation sums in the period from March to November, collected from 74 ground-based meteorological stations in 1951–2020. The paper defines meteorological drought on the basis of the standardized precipitation index in three seasons (SPI-3) and differentiates three degrees of drought intensity: extreme, severe and moderate. The study also calculates the size of Poland's area affected by meteorological drought (AAMDr) and determines the relationship between AAMDr and SPI-3. MDr in Poland occurred more frequently in spring and autumn (every 4–5 years) than in summer (every 7 years). In the areas affected by extreme drought, precipitation was below the average, mainly ≤50% of the climatic norm, and air temperature values were below or above the average of the climatic norm, mainly ranging from −1.0 to 1.0 °C. A significant negative correlation between AAMDr and SPI-3 indices was found. The obtained results could be useful for managing climatic risk and developing regional and local agriculture adaptation plans aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great importance to study the changes in reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and the factors that influence it to ensure sustainable and efficient water resource utilization. Daily ET0 data calculated using the Penman–Monteith method from 37 meteorological stations located within Guangdong Province in the humid zone of southern China from 1960 to 2020 were analyzed. The trend analysis and Mann–Kendall test were used to analyze the time series changes in ET0 and major climatic factors (air temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), sunshine duration (SD), and wind speed (u2)) for over 61 years. Sensitivity and contribution analyses were used to evaluate the driving factors of ET0. The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) the trend in average annual ET0 time series in Guangdong slightly increased at a trend rate of 1.61 mm/10a over the past 61 years, with most stations experiencing an increase in ET0. During the same period, air temperature significantly increased, while RH and SD decreased; u2 also decreased. (2) Sensitivity analysis showed that ET0 was more sensitive to RH and T than SD and u2, with ET0 being most sensitive to RH in spring and winter and T in summer and autumn. (3) The contribution analysis showed that T was the dominant factor for ET0 variation in Guangdong, followed by SD. SD was found to be the dominant factor in ET0 changes in areas where the "evaporation paradox" occurred, as well as in spring and summer. The study concludes that the climate in Guangdong became warmer and drier over the past 61 years, and if the current global warming trend continues, it will lead to higher evapotranspiration and drought occurrence in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric drought is an extremely important issue on a global, regional and local scale, especially in the context of climate change. The aim of the study was to assess the spatiotemporal variation of atmospheric (meteorological) drought in agricultural areas of east-central Poland, represented by the Lublin Voivodeship (Lublin region) in 1971–2015. Average monthly air temperatures and monthly precipitation totals recorded over the 45-year period at 25 weather stations were used in the study. The assessment of spatiotemporal variation in atmospheric drought in the study area was based on calculations of the aridity index. The analysis showed an increase in the severity of atmospheric drought in the Lublin region, with intensification of this phenomenon in the last two decades, especially in the warmer half of the year (April, June–August). The main cause of drought in the Lublin region was identified as a statistically significant increase in air temperature (on average, from 0.4 °C to 0.7 °C/10 years in April, July and August, and from 0.2 °C to 0.5 °C/10 years in June) together with the absence of changes in precipitation in the warmer half of the year. This may be linked to some increase in the frequency of high-pressure circulation types, both non-directional and advection from the south. Due to the worsening problem of drought in Poland in recent years, especially in agriculture, there is a need for further research on this subject and for solutions aimed at optimizing agricultural use of the productive environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]