A portrait of meteorological, hydrological, and hydrogeological droughts in a changing climate
Summary of the presentation
This presentation provides an overview of meteorological, hydrological and hydrogeological droughts in southern Quebec and how they may change in the future. In the past climate, hydrological droughts show strong spatial variability, while hydrogeological droughts are more synchronized, especially during major episodes (2021). About half of hydrological droughts are linked to snow processes, and indices including snow and evapotranspiration accurately describe the way dry weather conditions lead to hydrological droughts. In a future climate, meteorological droughts will become shorter but more frequent and intense, especially in spring and summer. These results highlight the importance of considering snow dynamics and seasonality in managing drought episodes.
Learning objectives:
Describe the main characteristics and spatial dynamics of the hydrological and hydrogeological droughts observed in southern Quebec between 1970 and 2022
Explain how dry weather conditions lead to hydrological droughts, with an emphasis on snow dynamics and evapotranspiration
Interpret the projected changes in the frequency, intensity and duration of meteorological droughts in a future climate
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* Presentation in french
LOW WATER LEVELS: Changing hydrological droughts in southern Quebec in the face of climate change
Speaker(s)
Audrey Maheu is a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Quebec in Outaouais and scientific director of the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Civil and Water Engineering at Laval University and earned a doctorate in water sciences from the National Institute for Scientific Research.
