Spatiotemporal variability of climate extremes in the Marmara Region (NW Turkey)

In this study, the long-term variability of climate extremes was investigated for the region Marmara (NW of Turkey). Based on the 21 meteorological stations, Mann-Kendall rank statistic test and fitted ordinary least squares regression method was implemented to the six indices of extreme temperature and eight of extreme precipitation for the period 1960-2006. In regional perspective for temperature indices, statistically significant increasing trends (p < 0.05) are shown in the warm days and nights. In regard to warm days, 38% of all stations show significant increasing trends and the stations located in the north part of the region commonly exhibited significant positive trends. For warm nights, 52% of all stations have significant positive trends, which are homogeneously distributed to all of Marmara. Other temperature extremes such as cold, frost and summer days have non-significant increasing trends. Only cold nights show non-significant decreasing trends in the study. For all precipitation indices, it is found non-significant increasing trends in the region. The possible impacts of the extremes on particular sub-basins were also evaluated in the study. The results can give valuable opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders in focusing on the water resources and eco-environment management strategies in the Marmara Region.