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precipitation
events
in
the
central
and
southern
regions
of
the
country
(Villarroel,
2013).
The
average
annual
temperature
in
continental
Chile
(considering the average of 109 stations) shows a linear trend of 0.15ºC per
decade (period 1961-2021), with 8 out of 10 of the warmest years occurring
after 2010 (DMC, 2022). About 89% of the stations in the mountains and
valleys show warming, while those that show cooling are located on the north
and central coast (Arica-Valparaíso) (DMC, 2022). The annual average of
precipitation in continental Chile (considering 260 stations) shows an annual
decrease of 4% (8%) per decade during the period 1961-2021 (1980-2021). The
2012-2021 period is the driest, with an average deficit of 23% nationwide
(DMC, 2022).
As for the future, projections at the global and national levels indicate that the
impacts of climate change will continue and become even more evident towards
the end of the 21st century, with an increase in the global average annual
temperature that could reach 4 to 5ºC at the worst scenario, an increase in the
mean sea level of 20 to 90 cm, a greater frequency of droughts and extreme
precipitation events, a decrease of at least 20 to 30% of precipitation in
subtropical regions, and an increase in these in the southernmost region, among
other consequences. Particularly in Chile, the result of the CMIP6 simulations
(Interactive Atlas) for the worst scenario (SSP5-8.5) and for the end of the 21st
century (2081-2100) resolves an increase in the average annual temperature in
the continental territory from 2 to 5ºC concerning 1961-1990 average, being
higher in the north and the mountains, decreasing towards the south. Annual
precipitation decreases 20 to 30% by the end of the 21st century, compared to
the 1961-1990 average, in the south-central zone of the country (La Serena -
Balmaceda).