Rainfall Trend Analysis by Mann–Kendall Test in Syria

This study investigates monthly, seasonal, and annual rainfall trends using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, Sen’s slope (SS) method and linear regression analysis in Syria. Historical monthly rainfall records for the period 1960 to 2021 from 17 meteorological stations across the study area were used. The MK test results revealed non-significant decreasing trends across the eastern and southeastern stations, while it showed slight increasing trends in rainfall toward the coastal and mountain regions during the winter. The decreasing rainfall in the study area suggests overall insignificant changes. The results are consistent with recent studies that highlight the impact of climate change in Syria, and also with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth report that predicted a decrease in rainfall in the Mediterranean and southern Asia.