Correlation of 700 mb height data with seasonal temperature trends in the Great Basin (western USA): 1947-1987
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Paul A. Knapp, Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Temperature trends that are part of short-term climatic changes are often explained by a variety of theories, including changes in mean atmospheric pressure patterns. Seasonal 700 mb height data from grid points on the western (40° N, 120° W) and eastern side (40° N, 100° W) of the Great Basin, USA, were correlated with seasonal mean surface temperature data from Nevada and Utah, respectively, for a 41 yr period. Results from bivariate linear regression indicate that strong associations exist between height and surface data for all seasons except winter. The influence of persistent snow cover and topography may have a major influence on low wintertime associations. Trends in 700 mb height data are significantly correlated to seasonal temperature trends as measured by Spearman rank correlation. These results suggest that upper air trends are consistent with and supportive of the trends observed at the surface, and so lend credence to surface trend existence.
Correlation of 700 mb height data with seasonal temperature trends in the Great Basin (western USA): 1947-1987
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Created on 6/22/2011
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Climate Research
- Language: English
- Date: 1992
- Keywords
- climate, Great Basin, ecology