Eighth Conference on Coastal Atmospheric and Oceanic Prediction and Processes
Eighth Symposium on the Urban Environment

J21.2

Assessment of extreme weather events along the coastal areas of Thailand

Atsamon Limsakul, Environmental Research and Training Center, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, Thailand; and S. Limjirakan and T. Sriburi

 

Assessment of extreme weather events along the coastal areas of Thailand

 

Atsamon Limsakul1, Sangchan Limjirakan2, Thavivongse Sriburi 2

1 Environmental Research and Training Center, Technopolis Klong 5 Klong Luang Pathumthani 12120 Thailand

2 Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Coastal zones are among the most important natural resources, providing human with many essential goods and services. The foundations of prosperity and prominence for most of global cities lie in low-lying areas near coastlines and the mounts of major rivers, which served as conduits for commerce and socio-economic development. As Thailand has an intensive coastline for more than 2,600 km. on the Gulf of Thailand and on the Andaman Sea, enhanced understanding how extreme rainfall events impact of a vulnerable system is of paramount importance for country development. In this study, high-quality daily rainfall data observed from stations located along the coasts between 1965 and 2006 were analyzed. A set of core extreme indices recommended by the WMO-CCL/CLIVAR Expert Team for Climate Change Detection Monitoring and Indices (ETCCDMI) were calculated by measuring different aspects of rainfall extreme characteristics such as wetness and dryness conditions, frequency and intensity events. Results indicated notable changes in different patterns of extreme rainfall characteristics in each coastal side of Thailand. Along the coastal area of the Gulf of Thailand, extreme rainfall events were more intense daily rainfall associated with overall increases in very wet day and heavy rainfalls. These changes towards wetter condition and increases in magnitude and frequency of more intense rainfall events were consistent with the prolonged strengthening of the north-east monsoon which governs the region during October to February. While, overall decreases in total rainfall accompanied by coherent dryness condition and reduction of heavy rainfall were along the Andaman coastal areas.  Early findings indicated that both coastal sides of Thailand will be exposed to increasing risks of different extreme rainfall-driven disasters. Anticipated impacts including increases in inland flash flood, more frequent coastal flooding, coastal erosion and severe water shortage would introduce devastating pressures, and intensify other existing stresses to urban, industry, environment and socio-economic development in the coastal areas. Therefore, vulnerability and risk assessment are needed to shed more light how to cope with and adapt to such adverse impacts of current and future changes on those events.

 

Keywords: Extreme weather events, Coastal areas, Thailand

 

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wrf recording  Recorded presentation

Joint Session 21, Weather and Climate in Coastal Urban Areas—I
Thursday, 15 January 2009, 8:30 AM-9:45 AM, Room 126A

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