Spatial and temporal temperature trends on the Yunnan Plateau (Southwest China) during 1961–2004

Fan ZX, Bräuning A, Thomas A, Li JB, Cao KF (2011)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2011

Journal

International Journal of Climatology Royal Meteorological Society

Publisher: Royal Meteorological Society

Book Volume: 31

Pages Range: 2078-2090

Journal Issue: 14

URI: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joc.2214/full

DOI: 10.1002/joc.2214

Open Access Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joc.2214/pdf

Abstract

Monthly mean (TEM), maximum (T_max) and minimum (T_min) surface air temperatures at 119 meteorological stations on the Yunnan Plateau (YP, Southwest China) were analysed for temporal trends and spatial variation patterns during the period 1961–2004. Linear trend analyses revealed that annual temperature over the YP increased at a rate of 0.3 °C/decade during the period 1961–2004, while warming trend of 0.33 °C/decade and 0.26 °C/decade was observed for winter and summer temperatures, respectively. Warming trends of nighttime minimum temperature are more pronounced than those of daytime maximum temperature, especially during winter season. Consequently, a decreasing trend of diurnal temperature ranges (DTR = T_max − T_min) was observed. Five spatial patterns of temperature variability were objectively defined by rotated empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, which are associated with distinct temporal temperature variations and geographical area over the YP. Annual temperature increases were found to be most pronounced in the southern and northwestern (high-elevation) parts of the YP, whereas the hot-dry valleys along the Yangtze and Red River basins experienced cooling during the past four decades.

Authors with CRIS profile

Achim Bräuning Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie)

Involved external institutions

Columbia University

United States (USA) (US) Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU)

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Fan, Z.-X., Bräuning, A., Thomas, A., Li, J.-B., & Cao, K.-F. (2011). Spatial and temporal temperature trends on the Yunnan Plateau (Southwest China) during 1961–2004. International Journal of Climatology, 31(14), 2078-2090. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.2214

MLA:

Fan, Ze-Xin, et al. "Spatial and temporal temperature trends on the Yunnan Plateau (Southwest China) during 1961–2004." International Journal of Climatology 31.14 (2011): 2078-2090.

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