The impact of climate change on the temperature regime of the Kelbajar and Lachin regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Abstract

In an article based on reanalysis data MERRA-2 (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2) for the period 1980-2022 the general trends in the temperature regime of the Kalbajar and Lachin regions, which are part of the modern East Zangezur economic region, were studied. It has been determined that during the period under review there is a tendency to increase average annual and seasonal temperatures. Temperature trends for all seasons and annual periods were statistically significant at the 5% confidence level. Calculations showed that the average annual air temperature in the period 2001-2022. increased by 0.9 °C compared to the period 1980-2000, which is consistent with the results obtained in other regions of the republic. The largest increase in average monthly temperature was recorded in February (1.7 °C), March (1.8 °C) and October (1.3 °C). The largest increase in the maximum average temperature was observed in March (2.7 °C) and December (1.9 °C), and the minimum average temperature in October (3.5 °C). A decrease of 0.6°C in the minimum average temperature in January was recorded.