Climate change impacts to hydrological cycle

Question 1

Climate change effects precipation

Answer 1

A warmer atmosphere has a greater water-holding capacity.

Widespread increases in rainfall intensity are expected to increase e.g. the tropics and high latitudes

The length and frequency of heatwaves is increasing so more drought.

More precipitation in northern regions is falling as rain rather than snow.

Question 2

Climate change effects evaporation

Answer 2

Evaporation over large areas of Asia and North America appears to be increasing.

Transpiration is linked to vegetation changes, which in turn are linked to changes in soil moisture and precipitation.
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Question 3

Climate change effects stores

Surface runoff

Answer 3

More low flows (droughts) and high flows (floods)

Increased runoff and reduced infiltration

Question 4

Climate change effects stores

Groundwater flow

Answer 4

Uncertain, because of abstraction by humans

Question 5

Climate change effects flows

Reservoir, lake and wetland storage

Answer 5

It appears that storage is decreasing as temperatures increase

Question 6

Climate change effects flows

Soil moisture

Answer 6

Where precipitation is increasing, it is likely that soil moisture will also increase.

Question 7

Climate change effects flows

Permafrost

Answer 7

Deepening of the active layer is releasing more groundwater.

Methane released from thawed lakes may be accelerating change.

Question 8

Climate change effects flows

Snow

Answer 8

Strong evidence of glacier retreat and thinning since the 1970s.

Less accumulation because more precipitation is falling as rain.

Question 9

Climate change effects flows

Oceans

Answer 9

Where there is ocean warming, there will be more evaporation.

More cyclones.

Storage capacity being increased by meltwater
meaning rising sea level.