Variability of atmospheric precipitation in Skierniewice in the years 1923-2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24425/jwld.2025.156038Abstract
The amount and distribution of precipitation directly affect crop growth and yield. Deficits in precipitation during key growth periods (spring and summer) can hinder plant development, reduce yields, and, in extreme cases, cause total crop failure. In this study, the magnitude and variability of atmospheric precipitation in Skierniewice over a 100-year period (1923-2022) were analysed. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the Mann-Kendall test were applied to detect trends in precipitation changes in the time series. The distribution of precipitation in individual years was assessed using the precipitation unevenness index. The analysis of annual precipitation totals for Skierniewice over the study period revealed no significant trend. The study demonstrated that the observed high variability in annual precipitation totals was largely due to the considerable variability in precipitation during individual months. Linear regression analysis showed a slight but statistically significant increase in precipitation in January (r = 0.34), February (r = 0.27), and December (r = 0.37). For the other months, the correlation coefficients were not statistically significant, with values either negative or close to zero. The highest average monthly precipitation (for the study period) occurred in July (82.0 mm), while the lowest was recorded in January (24.3 mm). July also saw the highest total monthly rainfall (214.3 mm in 1960). This month was characterised by the greatest precipitation amplitude, reaching 203.5 mm.References
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