A GIS-based approach for simulating of air temperature in hydroelectric reservoir region

Understanding spatial distribution of surface air temperature (SAT) is important for regional management and the efficient utilization of climate resources in the Ertan reservoir region, southwest China. The creation of a hydroelectric reservoir results in the formation of vast surface areas of water, which will lead to local climatic changes. In view of this, a series of models were developed to analyze the effect of Ertan reservoir on regional temperatures. A modified multiple regression model was developed which takes into account the influence of the reservoir on SATs in the region. This modified model was able to predict SAT in the study region with considerably higher accuracy than a conventional model that used only elevation and location as temperature predictors.