CLIMATIC CHANGES IN THE MAGHREB REGION: THE EVOLUTION OF THE PLUVIOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN THE MIDDLE ATLAS AND AT ITS MARGINS (MOROCCO) AND ITS RELATION TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION
Z. nouaceur, O. MURĂRESCU, G. MURĂTOREANU
Abstract: Climatic changes in the Maghreb Region: the evolution of the pluviometric parameters in the Middle Atlas and at its margins (Morocco) and its relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation. In order to characterize the climatic changes observed on a regional and local scale, an analysis of the pluviometric parameters has been proposed. It relies on the calculation of the centered index decreased and the quintile method to characterize their long-term evolution. This investigation allows for an explanation for the extreme rain variability. It also shows the severe and durable character of the climatic drought noticed in this region beginning with the 1970s and the shy return towards a possible humid phase observed beginning with 2008. At the same time, the analysis of the evolution of the extreme rains has highlighted a relevant relation with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This relation is in reversed phase with the humid periods (negative NAO index and high frequency of the extreme rains from the humid categories) and in phase with the dry periods (positive NAO index and high frequencies of the extreme rains from the dry categories).
Keywords: precipitations tendency, North Atlantic Oscillation, Middle Atlas.