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Large asymmetrical temperature trends at Mount Wilson, California
Author(s) -
Balling Robert C.,
Periconi Darlene A.,
Cerveny Randall S.,
Baliunas Sallie L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl006064
Subject(s) - precipitation , climatology , environmental science , diurnal temperature variation , sea surface temperature , mount , range (aeronautics) , surface air temperature , atmospheric sciences , el niño southern oscillation , geology , geography , meteorology , materials science , computer science , composite material , operating system
We compiled and analyzed a daily time series of temperatures and precipitation totals from Mount Wilson, California from 1918 to 1998. Our results show a large decline in maximum temperature, no change or an upward trend in minimum temperature, and a substantial decline in the diurnal temperature range (DTR). The interannual variations in monthly maximum temperature and DTR are significantly correlated with monthly precipitation levels, sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) off the coast of Southern California, and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). El Niño periods and/or months with high SST anomalies tend to be wet with lower maximum temperatures and DTR while La Niña periods and/or months of lower SSTs are hotter and drier with higher DTR values. It is noteworthy that the SOI and SSTs have significant trends toward more El Niño‐like conditions with higher SSTs off Southern California.