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Changes in the magnitude-frequency of large rainstorms and the year-to-year variability of rainfall in Malaysia. / Stephen Thomas Ellison

Swansea University Author: Stephen Thomas Ellison

Abstract

Changes in the magnitude-frequency of large rainstorms and the year-to-year variability of rainfall in Malaysia The aims of the thesis were to investigate changes in: 1. the magnitude-frequency of large rainstorms in Malaysia over a longer timescale than previously examined, 2. seasonal and annual r...

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Published: 2006
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Master of Philosophy
Degree name: M.Phil
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42475
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Abstract: Changes in the magnitude-frequency of large rainstorms and the year-to-year variability of rainfall in Malaysia The aims of the thesis were to investigate changes in: 1. the magnitude-frequency of large rainstorms in Malaysia over a longer timescale than previously examined, 2. seasonal and annual rainfall for the region, 3. year-to-year variability in annual totals and high magnitude rainfall events Data were collected from a variety of archival sources including rainfall statistics from the British North Borneo Herald and the Sarawak Gazette from the early 20th century. Rainfall records from the post-war period were gathered from a store at the Malaysian Meteorological Service in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Monthly and annual totals to complete rainfall series at stations across Malaysia were obtained from ASEAN publications in 1982 and 2004. Recent data were provided by the Malaysian Meteorological Service both in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Results suggest that there has been no region-wide change in the magnitude or frequency of extreme rainfall events. Only at Kota Kinabalu was a rainfall decrease found to be statistically significant. Decreases in annual rainfall and an increase in years with low rainfall totals occurred in the northern regions in Peninsular Malaysia and the northwest coast of Borneo. Only the major ENSO events produce negative anomalies across the whole region. Weak and moderate ENSO events caused both high and low annual totals. Sea surface temperatures along with other factors such as wind speed, wind direction, the ITCZ and upper air circulation may have been responsible for the weak correlations found between ENSO events and rainfall events and totals throughout Malaysia.
Keywords: Meteorology.;Southeast Asian studies.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering

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