ANALYSIS OF MOISTURE DEFICIT IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON FLOODING IN THE KHERSON REGION

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of changes in the moisture deficit of the Kherson region using data from weather stations Askania-Nova, Velyka Oleksandrivka, Kherson, Nova- Kakhovka, Nizhny Sirogozy, Khorly for the observation period from 1955 to 2022. A brief description of the territory of the Kherson region from the point of view of climatic changes is presented. The map of the Kherson region shows the location of the given weather stations. A description of climatic changes was carried out with the indication of temperature gradients in the Kherson region. Briefly presented information on climate change in the territory of Ukraine with an indication of the general trend. The natural factor of flooding of the territory of the Kherson region is presented – seasonal unevenness of precipitation. The distribution of precipitation throughout the year, both in terms of quantity and intensity, is given. It was determined that the largest increase in the amount of precipitation is observed in the observation area of the Kherson and Velyka Oleksandrivka weather stations, a slightly smaller increase in the observation area of the Nova-Kakhovka and Nizhni Syrogoza weather stations, and a very slight increase in the amount of precipitation in the observation area of the Askania-Nova and Khorly weather stations. The analysis of long-term precipitation dynamics was carried out for the following periods: 1955–1975, 1976–1995, 1996–2022. Taking into account the conducted analysis and the location of weather stations, there is reason to say that the significant cause of flooding in the area covered by the weather stations Kherson (western part of Kherson region) and Velyka Oleksandrivka (north-western part of Kherson region) is precisely the natural factor – an increase in atmospheric precipitation. Taking into account the conducted analysis and the location of weather stations, there is reason to say that one of the reasons (natural factors) of flooding in the area covered by the Nova Kakhovka and Nizhny Sirogozy weather stations in the recent period (1996–2022) is also an increase in atmospheric precipitation.