ESTIMATION OF HIGH-RESOLUTION DOWNSCALED CLIMATE INFORMATION BASED ON VERIFICATION OF WATER BALANCE IN WATERSHED OF HOKKAIDO

Abstract

 This study estimates the hydrological quantities such as evapotranspiration and snow depth in Hokkaido, using statistically downscaled (SDS) data, to investigate measures for adapting to climate change.The accuracy of the basin water balance estimation result was improved by changing the data referenced by SDS and correcting the snowfall water amount.Using the created mesh data, the hydrologic cycle of Hokkaido under the future climate was projected, the annual maximum snow depth is projected to decrease.It is suggested the need for adaptation measures that take into account changes in the hydrologic cycle in snowy cold regions.The results promise to be of use in evaluating the effects of climate change on local water issues and in investigating measures for adapting to climate change.