Dynamics of Severe Atmospheric Droughts in European Russia

E. A. Cherenkova

Severe atmospheric droughts of different intensity over the southern Russian Plain are studied using the observations and model data during the period of 1936–2100. Spatial distribution, frequency, and duration of droughts are considered. Dynamics of extreme droughts in the 20th century is derived from the meteorological station data. The tendency of drought occurrence in 1991–2000, 2041–2050, and 2091–2100 is obtained from the MGO (Main Geophysical Observatory) regional climate model (RCM). A catalog of severe atmospheric droughts of different intensity is made based on the observations for 1936–2000 and modeling results for 1991–2000. The comparison of the observational and model data has shown that the MGO RCM simulates well the frequency of severe atmospheric droughts.