Observed climate changes in Croatia Climate change scenario

1. Observed Climate Changes
Detection of climate variations and changes in air temperature and precipitation over the
area of Croatia since the beginning of the 20 th century has been performed according to the
long-term meteorological measurements that started during the 19 th century at meteorological
stations in different climate regions: Osijek (continental climate), Zagreb-Grič (continental climate
under a mild maritime influence), Gospić (continental climate of highland Croatia under a strong
maritime influence), Crikvenica (maritime climate of eastern coast of the northern Adriatic) and
Hvar (maritime climate of the Dalmatian area).
Decadal trends during the 20 th century as well as those till 2008 were compared in order
to determine the differences that appeared due to the changes in temperature and precipitation
regimes at the beginning of the 21 st century.
1.1. Air temperature
Increase of mean annual air temperature, which in the 20 th century was between +0.02°C
per 10 years in Gospić up to +0.07°C per 10 years in Zagreb, continued and amplified by the
beginning of the 21 st century (Table 1-1 and 1-2). In such way, decadal trends were proceeding
until 2004 within the range from 0.04°C up to 0.08°C, and by 2008 between 0.05°C and 0.10°C.
Prevailing positive trend has become particularly expressed within the last 50 years, even more
within the last 25 years (Figure 1-1, Table 1-1). Trends of mean annual air temperature within
the 108-year period are statistically significant at all stations except for Osijek, while within the
last 50, i.e. 25 years at all observed stations. The positive temperature trends in the continental
part of Croatia is mostly due to winter trends (+0.06 °C/10 years in Osijek, +0.13 °C/10 years in
Zagreb and Gospić), while on the Adriatic to summer trends (+0.13 °C/10 years in Crikvenica
and +0.07 °C/10 years in Hvar). The greatest trends were recorded in Zagreb; however, it
should take into account that such increase is partially a result of the urban heat island.
Consequence of the faster atmosphere warming up during the last period of time is a result that
out of ten warmest years since the beginning of the 20 th century 7 of them were recorded in
Zagreb, 6 in Gospić and Crikvenica, 5 in Hvar and 4 in Osijek (Table 1-3).
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