• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.75-89
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• 2012

This study attempted to analyze statistical characteristics of historical drought of Korea through trend, periodicity and drought spell analysis by using the drought indices. Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) were calculated using weather data of 59 weather stations under Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). As a result of analysis, SP13 and SP16 showed trend of drier spring, drier winter and wetter summer in all basin of Korea. However, SPI12 and PDSI showed different trends with shorter duration drought indices. In case of wavelet transform analysis for drought periodicities, in a band of 1~2 years or below 6 years showed significant spectrum. SP13 showed strongest power spectrum near the band of 1~2 year variance, and SPI12 and PDSI showed 6 years periodicities. The results from drought spell showed that Nakdong River Basin, Geum River Basin and Youngsan River Basin were appeared as severe drought vulnerable area of Korea.