Secular Climatic Patterns of the North Central Great Plains and the Continental U.S.
Abstract
Monthly mean maximum temperatures and total precipitation data (1900-1970) were compiled for 144 carefully selected stations in the continental U.S. The north central great plains (NCGP) was divided into regions of similar temperature and precipitation patterns using 39 stations representative of the NCGP. In a like manner, the 144 U.S. stations were grouped into regions with similar patterns of mean annual temperature and total annual precipitation; weighted mean annual temperature and total precipitation series were derived by area-weighting the regional series. Comparison of regional and mean series revealed marked differences between series. Tests of normality and homogeneity of means were conducted for the mean annual temperature and total annual precipitation series; it was determined that several distinctly different periods of temperature and precipitation existed between 1901 and 1970 for both series. The presence of consecutive periods of dissimilar climatic patterns within the 70-year series of climatic elements implies that climate exhibits jump discontinuities which must be explored. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA166743
Entities
People
- Karen Jean Praner
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology