Orography can play a major role in the type, amount, intensity and duration of precipitation events.

"But we know that in a warm climate, the likelihood of getting intense precipitation events increases," she said.

Heavy precipitation events are very likely to become more common and will increase flood risk.

Pollutants entering surface waters during precipitation events is termed polluted runoff.

The stream rises to a peak flow after each precipitation event, then falls in a slow recession.

Inflow tends to peak during precipitation events, and causes greater flow variation than infiltration.

"It is very likely that hot extremes, heat waves and heavy precipitation events will continue to become more frequent," said the summary.

A few days after a precipitation event, small mud curls, otherwise known as "corn flakes" form on the playa surface.

These phases are linked to short-term extreme precipitation events in the plains of central Argentina.

Of particular concern are the extreme precipitation events which are linked to flooding.