Recent Trends in Precipitation Climatology in the Karak Plateau, Jordan

The Karak Plateau, situated in the central part of Jordan’s mountainous region, is a main hydrological and agricultural area and a water source for five important watersheds in the country. This article examines precipitation climatology and trends within this plateau during the past half century. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests indicate a decline in annual precipitation and in the number of rainy days. Precipitation is becoming more concentrated, and the contributions of January and February to total annual precipitation have increased significantly. Precipitation fluctuations in undisturbed watersheds situated in arid and semi-arid areas would have strong impacts on base flow there.