Impact of land-atmosphere fluxes on the spring precipitation regime of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

In this thesis, we investigate the physical processes underlying the spring maximum of precipitation observed throughout the interior of the Iberian Peninsula, with a specific incidence in the inland regions to the east and northeast. This upturn in the rainfall totals occurs mostly in May, having a critical impact on human activities, and in particular on agriculture over these interior areas, most of them suffering from water scarcity. The present thesis adds valuable information to better characterize the precipitation regime of these regions. In a context of climate change, this study may be useful for the hydrological planning of these regions and for their long-term sustainability.