Extreme Temperature Variability over High Topography

Shafiqur Rehman, Luai M. Al-Hadhrami, Mohammed A. Mohandes

Center for Engineering Research, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.4236/ojap.2012.11001                

Abstract

The temperature variability was studied using linear regression models, Man-Kendall (M-K) rank statistics, mean monthly and annual temperature anomalies, number of hot and cold days and nights per annum. The temperature time series (mean, minimum and maximum) has shown a warming trend of the local air during last two decades. The maximum and minimum of the monthly mean temperatures of 23.35°C and 13.25°C were observed in June and January, respectively. Similarly, the maximum and minimum temperature ranges of 13.4°C and 8.2°C were found in December and June. The ratios between the hottest and coldest month’s monthly mean maximum and monthly mean minimum temperatures were 1.039 and 1.033, respectively. The best fit linear line showed an increase of 0.048°C per annum in the annual mean temperature with a coefficient of determination of 52%. An overall increase of 1.01°C was found between 1985. The Mann-Kendall rank statistics test confirmed the warming trends of the local atmospheric environment of Abha city.

Keywords

Global Warming; Extreme Temperatures; Man-Kendall Rank Statistics; Trends

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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