**4.3 Time variations of the observed and predicted relative humidity by MARS and M5T models**

Time variations of the observed and predicted relative humidity by MARS and M5T model at Khunjerab, Naltar, and Ziarat meteorological stations are displayed in **Figures 5**–**7**. Time variations plots have been drawn by using the best-predicted data of relative humidity (i.e. S6 scenario). The daily data has been drawn from 2007 to 2009. **Figure 5** showed that both the models captured time-series variations of predicted relative humidity very well with reference to observed data at Khunjerab station but slightly underestimated the values from 900 to 1100 days. Moreover, these models slightly underestimated the low and high values of predicted relative humidity with reference to observed data at few points throughout the time series. Overall, the MARS model performed better as compared to M5T for the prediction of daily relative humidity data at Khunjerab.

The MARS and M5T models also captured time-series variation of relative humidity superbly with respect to observed data at Naltar station for the S6 input

**Figure 6.** *Time variation of the observed and predicted relative humidity by MARS and M5T model at Naltar station.*

**Figure 7.**

*Time variation of the observed and predicted relative humidity by MARS and M5T model at Ziarat station.*

combination as displayed in **Figure 6**. Both the models slightly underestimated the predicted relative humidity from 850 days to 1100. Moreover, these models slightly underestimated the predictions of low and high values of relative humidity at some points throughout the study period. Overall, the MARS model provided better predictions of relative humidity as compared to M5T at Naltar (**Figure 6**).

However, both the machine learning models provided the best prediction of relative humidity at Ziarat which is a mid-altitude meteorological station as shown in **Figure 7**. Both the models captured the temporal variations of relative humidity very well throughout the period with reference to observed data for the S6 input combination. Furthermore, the models underestimated the low and high values of predicted relative humidity with reference to observed data. The MARS model predicted low and high values of relative humidity fairly well but it slightly underestimated the values at few points throughout the study period. Overall, the MARS model provided better predictions of relative humidity as compared to M5T at Ziarat (**Figure 7**).
