,- National Technical University of Athens, School of Civil Engineering, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Cyprus (thegeo1992@gmail.com)
This project investigates the hydroclimatic variability of Cyprus through an integrated statistical and spatial analysis framework, with emphasis on precipitation and streamflow extremes. The main objectives are to (i) characterize the spatial and temporal variability of rainfall and runoff across the free territory of the Republic of Cyprus by identifying patterns, trends, and extreme events, and (ii) evaluate the stability of rainfall–runoff relationships under both natural and regulated hydrological conditions.
The analysis uses long-term, quality-controlled precipitation and streamflow datasets from Cyprus, comprising 167 daily rainfall series (up to 107 years) and 45 hydrometric records (up to 58 years). Analyses were conducted for multiple minimum record lengths to assess record-length effects and were supported by documented drought events identified using the Standardized Precipitation Index. Spatial rainfall patterns were examined using Inverse Distance Weighting and Ordinary Kriging, while rainfall–runoff relationships were quantified for 12 station pairs using correlation analysis of mean and maximum annual values.
The results demonstrate that mean annual rainfall remains largely stable across all examined temporal scales, indicating long-term stability of average hydroclimatic conditions, whereas maximum annual rainfall exhibits a slight increasing tendency across all records, suggesting a gradual intensification of extreme events rather than changes in total rainfall amounts. Record statistics show consistency between low rainfall records and documented drought periods. Spatial analyses highlight the dominant orographic influence of the Troodos mountain range, with rainfall amounts and variability increasing with elevation, while rainfall–runoff correlations weaken in catchments regulated by hydraulic structures.
Overall, the results indicate a persistent mean hydroclimatic regime accompanied by gradual intensification of extreme precipitation events without a corresponding change in total annual rainfall. The island’s orography remains the dominant control on rainfall patterns, while increasing anthropogenic intervention disrupts the hydrological response.
How to cite: Georgiou, T., Iliopoulou, T., and Koutsoyiannis, D.: Hydroclimatic Variability of Cyprus with Emphasis on Extreme Events, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-18542, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-18542, 2026.
