Using geographic information systems (GIS) to study the trend of annual temperature change for the current period and projected for the future in Saudi Arabia as part of global climate change

Abstract

Climate change, especially temperature changes, is one of the important areas of climate studies in recent times because of its major effects on life on the surface of the earth. The study aimed to address the topic of change in annual temperatures for the current period and expected for the future in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the global climate change for three periods; (reference period - mid-century period - end of century period) according to the medium emission scenario RCP4.5 and the high emission scenario RCP8.5. The study relied on the descriptive and analytical approach by relying on climate change data for RICCAR outputs. The study also relied on the cartographic method using geographic information systems (GIS) software in processing, classifying and analyzing the study data. The study reached a number of results, the most important of which are: the eastern region, the northwestern half and some parts of central Saudi Arabia are among the most vulnerable to an increase in annual temperature increase compared to other regions, and the high emission scenario RCP8.5 (High) predicted that the change in annual temperatures in the End-Century period (2081-2100) will not be less than (3.20°C) and even (4.67°C) in some regions.