Interannual Changes in Northern Hemispheric Tropospheric Temperatures, 1960-1989,
Abstract
Tropospheric temperatures were calculated from geopotential thicknesses based on analyzed data for two layers, 850-700 and 700-500 hPa, for the past three decades. Comparison of the interannual changes in thickness temperatures with radiosonde thickness temperature and surface temperatures show substantial agreement, especially at the time of major changes such as cooling periods after the eruption of the Agung and El Chichon volcanoes. The temperature increase between two 13-year periods, 1964-1976 and 1977-1989, was greatest the winter season at both levels. The increase in temperature of the 850-100 hPa layer exceeded that of 700-500 hPa layer for comparable times of the year and grids. The polar region showed the largest temperature change. A plot of the 850-700 hPa layer, winter temperature changes for the octagonal grid, shows the largest positive change over Alaska, northern Canada, and western China. The dominant cooling occurred over the north Pacific and western Europe. The warm-cold couplet in the north Pacific suggests a change in the strength of the Aleutian low.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADP007281
Entities
People
- Gary A. Herbert