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Maximum and minimum temperature trends for the globe: An update through 2004
Author(s) -
Vose Russell S.,
Easterling David R.,
Gleason Byron
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1029/2005gl024379
Subject(s) - maximum temperature , diurnal temperature variation , global temperature , climatology , atmospheric temperature range , environmental science , mean radiant temperature , range (aeronautics) , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , geography , climate change , global warming , materials science , geology , oceanography , composite material
New data acquisitions are used to examine recent global trends in maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and the diurnal temperature range (DTR). On average, the analysis covers the equivalent of 71% of the total global land area, 17% more than in previous studies. Consistent with the IPCC Third Assessment Report, minimum temperature increased more rapidly than maximum temperature (0.204 vs. 0.141°C dec −1 ) from 1950–2004, resulting in a significant DTR decrease (−0.066°C dec −1 ). In contrast, there were comparable increases in minimum and maximum temperature (0.295 vs. 0.287°C dec −1 ) from 1979–2004, muting recent DTR trends (−0.001°C dec −1 ). Minimum and maximum temperature increased in almost all parts of the globe during both periods, whereas a widespread decrease in the DTR was only evident from 1950–1980.