The Effects of Global Warming on the Climate of Cities Located in the Urmia Lake Basin

Global Warming is now one of the most important environmental issues. In the present study, in order to reveal the effect of global warming on the climate of cities located in the Urmia Lake basin, the changes in 14 climatic variables were evaluated through Mann-Kendall test and least of squares error test in three time scales: annual scale, wet season scale and dry season scale. The results indicated that according to the tests done the minimum, maximum and average temperatures increased in both annual and seasonal time scales. The average temperature of the area increased by 0.06 degree Celsius annually and the maximum rate of increase was about 0.13 degree Celsius per year in Maraghe. The temperature of very hot days (with a maximum of 30 degree Celsius or more) increased and the temperature of very cold days (with a minimum of -4 degree Celsius or less) decreased. Total rainfall and the amount of heavy precipitation decreased. The average rainfall in the region declined by about 4 mm a year. The wind speed parameter showed negative, positive and stable trends in the area under study, but the relative humidity was negative in most stations. In general, the results of Mann-Kendall and Least-squares error methods were consistent. Overall, the trend of climatic elements was in line with the latest findings of the intergovernmental panel on climate change.