Abstract
"Jordan, a developing country located in the Middle East, is significantly exposed to the adverse impacts of human-induced climate change, particularly concerning drought incidents. As a water-scarce nation with limited water resources, arid and semi-arid climate conditions, and population expansion due to surrounding conflicts, the region is highly susceptible to drought.
Given the rapid pace of climate change, the choice of drought monitoring tools pertaining to global warming becomes exceedingly crucial. To choose the most suitable temperature and precipitation products and projections for monitoring drought, this study aims to evaluate the performance of 22 regional climate models in the CORDEX project. This set of models was selected from the three CORDEX domains that each fully encompass Jordan, namely Africa (AFR), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and South Asia (WAS) domains, at a 22° spatial resolution. In order to evaluate the models' suitability for drought monitoring in Jordan, a comprehensive comparison of their performance in generating the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) data spanning from 1975 to 2005 is undertaken. As a reference for comparison, the gridded dataset from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (CRU TS) is utilized.
This study endeavors to shed light on the most suitable temperature and precipitation products and projections for effective drought monitoring in Jordan, where the ramifications of climate change pose significant challenges to water security and environmental resilience. By evaluating the performance of these regional climate models, we aim to enhance our understanding of both historical and projected drought patterns and empower decision-makers with valuable information for mitigating the impacts of drought in this vulnerable region."
The AGU Fall Meeting is the largest annual gathering of Earth and space scientists, convening over 25,000 researchers, educators, policymakers, and students from more than 100 countries each December to share and advance groundbreaking research. It features a diverse program—including oral and poster sessions, town halls, workshops, and named lectures—that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation across all geoscientific disciplines.
Dr. Hebah Alkhasoneh participated in the AGU Fall Meeting 2023 with an eLightning presentation titled “Evaluating Temperature and Precipitation Products and Projections for Effective Drought Monitoring in Jordan," contributing to the global dialogue on climate data evaluation, drought risk, and regional climate resilience.An eLightning presentation is a dynamic format that combines a short, in-person digital talk with an interactive online poster, allowing for rapid sharing of research and deeper engagement through digital tools.