Use of the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Model to Forecast Near-Term Regional Temperature and Precipitation

Abstract A data-driven approach for obtaining near-term (2–20 years) regional temperature and precipitation projections utilizing local historical observations was established in this study to facilitate civil and environmental engineering applications. Given the unique characteristics of temporal correlation and skewness exhibited in individual time series of temperature and precipitation variables, a statistical time series forecasting technique was developed based on the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Annual projections obtained from the ARIMA model—depending on individual series—can be interpreted as an integration of the most recent observations and the long-term historical trend. In addition to annual temperature and precipitation forecasts, methods of estimating confidence intervals for different return periods and simulating future daily temperature and precipitation were developed to extend the applicability for use in engineering. Quantitative comparisons of annual temperature and precipitation forecasts developed from the ARIMA model and other common statistical techniques such as a linear trend method were performed. Results suggested that while the ARIMA model cannot outperform all other techniques for all evaluated climate indices, the ARIMA model in general provides more accurate projections—especially interval forecasts—and is more reliable than other common statistical techniques. With the use of the ARIMA-based statistical forecasting model, interpretable and reliable near-term, location-specific temperature and precipitation forecasts can be obtained for consideration of changing climate in civil and environmental engineering applications.