3.6.1. Projected changes in basin-wide potential evaporation
Consistent with the trend in projected temperature, potential evaporation is projected to increase by 2030 in all months and all catchments. The projected increase in annual
potential evaporation averaged across the basin ranges from 1.451 m to 1.48 m, a change of 2%. Projected increases in monthly potential evaporation are 0.003 m from February to June, and 0.002 for the remaining months (Figure 3.13)
Mekong Basin
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range GCM median potential evaporation Baseline potential evaporation
Figure 3.13. Baseline (1951-2000) versus future (2030) monthly potential evaporation.
3.6.2. Projected changes in potential evaporation for Mekong catchments The projected increase in annual potential evaporation is greatest for the Upper Mekong (0.043 m), an increase of 6% (Figure 3.14). Projected increases in annual potential
evaporation are less than 2.1% for all the remaining catchments of the basin (Figures 3.14 to 3.16). The range in projected potential evaporation is low for all months and for all
catchments, being 0.002 m or less for all months in all catchments except the Upper Mekong where the range in projected potential evaporation is 0.003 m for May.
Upper Mekong
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Chiang Saen
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Figure 3.14. Baseline (1951-2000) versus future (2030) monthly potential evaporation for catchments of the Upper Mekong basin: Upper Mekong and Chiang Saen.
Moung Nouy
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Luang Prabang
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Ventiane
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Tha Ngon
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Nakhon Phanom
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Mukdahan
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Ban Keng Done
0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Yasothon
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Figure 3.15. Baseline (1951-2000) versus future (2030) monthly potential evaporation Moung Nouy, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Tha Ngon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Ban Keng Done and Yasothon catchments.
Ubon Ratchathani
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Pakse
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Se San
0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Kratie
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Tonle Sap
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Phnom Penh
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Border
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Delta
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
potential evaporation (m)
GCM potential evaporation range Baseline potential evaporation GCM median potential evaporation
Figure 3.16. Baseline (1951-2000) versus future (2030) monthly potential evaporation for Ubon Ratchathani, Pakse, Se San, Kratie, Tonle Sap, Phnom Penh, Border and Delta catchments.