Bhutan Climate Background
Based on observed, historical data, the period 1991–2020. For the purpose of understanding projected climate change and future climate scenarios, information should be used to develop a solid understanding of the existing climate conditions. Data for the present climatology can be shown as a time series, as regional fluctuation, or as a seasonal cycle.
Both seasonal and annual data can be analyzed. Although sub-national data aggregations are accessible by clicking on a sub-national unit within a country, data display by default uses national-scale aggregation.
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Because of the vast elevational variances, Bhutan has a variety of climates. The Lesser Himalaya region is frequently cooler, whereas the Greater Himalayas’ regions are most similar to alpine tundra in temperature and humidity. The Duars Plain is typically hot and humid. The subtropical climate in the southern region of the nation, which is located at the foothills of the Himalayas (150–2,000 meters [m]) above sea level), is characterized by high humidity, copious rainfall, and average annual temperatures of 15–30 degrees Celsius.
River valleys make up the center belt, which has pleasant winters, hot summers between June and September, and moderate rainfall. These valleys are located between 2,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level. With frigid winters and cool summers, the Northern belt is mostly made up of 4,000 m-high snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows.
Bhutan Climate Risks
The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, as well as the pre-monsoon season, are when precipitation is most common in the nation. Six agro-climatic areas can also be used to categorize the nation: alpine, cool temperate, warm temperate, dry sub-tropical, humid sub-tropical, and wet-sub tropical.
According to the most recent climatology, 1991-2020, there is a large seasonal variation in temperatures, with the summer months of June through August average temperatures of 24°C to 29°C and the winter months of December through February being close to 0°C. Similar patterns may be seen in the average monthly rainfall, with summer months receiving significantly more rain (around 240 mm) than winter months (approximately 90 mm).
Bhutan Climate and Vulnerability
Bhutan is susceptible to landslides, windstorms, earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The metropolitan parts of the nation are susceptible to southern heat waves and urban flooding. Historical data show that flooding is the most common type of disaster and that it causes the greatest proportion of fatalities (Preventionweb). The nation is vulnerable to earthquakes, and during the past 50 years, there have been twelve earthquakes, many of magnitude 7.0, including one in 2009 that caused $97 million in damages and needs (GFDRR).
Most of the agricultural land and infrastructure in the nation are situated along drainage basins that are extremely prone to flooding, especially riverine floods brought on by intense monsoon rains and glacial melt. Samtse province, as well as the country’s center and northwestern regions, are particularly risky. Additionally, there is a significant risk of wildfires throughout the nation, especially in the center and south. As well as raising the risk of wildfire, climate change may have an impact on the severity and frequency of flooding, landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, and windstorms.
Bhutan Climate Risk in Coastal area
Global mean sea level is directly rising as a result of the planet’s systematic warming in two main ways: (1) melting mountain glaciers and polar ice sheets are adding water to the ocean; and (2) as the oceans warm, the water expands, adding to the volume. Since 1880, the average sea level has increased by roughly 210–240 millimeters (mm), with the last two and a half decades accounting for almost a third of that increase.
Currently, there is an annual rise of about 3mm. Natural fluctuations in local winds and ocean currents, which can last for days, months, or even decades, are to blame for regional variances. Locally, however, other causes may also be significant, including ground uplift (such as the continuous recovery from Ice Age glacier weight), subsidence, changes in water levels brought on by water management practices or water extraction, and even the results of local erosive processes.
Sea level rise puts stress on coastal ecosystems as well as the actual coastline. Freshwater aquifers, many of which support municipal and agricultural water sources as well as natural ecosystems, can get contaminated by saltwater incursions. Because there is a significant lag until an equilibrium is reached, sea level will keep rising as long as global temperatures continue to rise. The rate of future carbon dioxide emissions and global warming will have a significant impact on the volume of the rise, and future glacier and ice sheet melting rates may have an increasing impact on the rate of the rise.
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Through analyzing historical sea surface temperatures, historical sea level anomalies (satellite data), and projected future sea level rise, we can better understand how the seas are changing (model-based). Potential flood risk maps are shown in Projected Coastal Inundation due to Mean Sea Level Rise and Projected Coastal Inundation due to Mean Sea Level Rise + Storm Surge across scenarios and through the year 2150.
Recentclimate – Bhutan Climate and Change