Climate changes in 1881–2100 and the 2010 weather extremes in Central Europe
Climate changes in 1881–2100 and the 2010 weather extremes in Central Europe

Summary/Abstract: Climate in Central Europe has changed significantly during the last several decades. Mean annual temperatures increased by about 1.5°C since 1980. Annual precipitation totals changed only slightly. Some precipitation increased in the North and decreased in the Southeast. Serious extremes in precipitation, temperature, soil moisture, runoff and snow cover were registered. The three-year period 2007–2009 was the warmest since the beginning of meteorological measurement and 2010 had unbelievable high precipitation totals in Slovakia and neighboring countries, mostly by about 200 mm more than the present record total. The newest climatic General Circulation Models indicate a continuation of an increase in temperature and weather extremes also in the next decades. Some socio-economic sectors and natural ecosystems are vulnerable due to a fast change of climate, so adaptive options need to be designed in the close future to reduce possible negative impacts. Various scenarios show close trends up to 2050.

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