Spatio-temporal trends in precipitation and temperature, as well as changes in Köppen-Geiger climate classes in the Sila river sub-basin, Mexico (1956-2015)

Abstract

According to various national and international institutions, which position Mexico as one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate variability, such as extreme hydrometeorological events and climate change, with intensify some of these events. The research was conducted with the purpose of understanding how temperature and precipitation have behaved over a 60-year period (1956-2015), based on the analysis of monthly data from meteorological stations, using process automation (to structure geospatial data, perform interpolations, and classify climate according to Köppen-Geiger), and the use of geospatial tools, in one of the most important sub-basins as a source of drinking water supply, both for the region and for Mexico City, and one of the main agricultural areas in the State of Mexico. The results of the three analyses conducted in this study demonstrate that, although there have been some changes in precipitation and temperature values, these variations have not implied a change in the current climate type. However, it is not ruled out that this situation may be altered at the watershed level, as other authors assert, mentioning that precipitation is decreasing while temperatures are rising throughout the central region of the country. Therefore, integrated environmental conservation actions within the Sila river sub-basin are necessary to maintain current climatic conditions, thus safeguarding the well-being of future generations.