Changes in Temperatures in Okayama Area Compared with Different Urbanization Areas, Japan

Noriko Sakano,Nobuyuki Miyatake,Tomohiro Hirao,Keiki Ogino,Shoko Murakami,Takeshi Suzue

doi:10.4236/jep.2011.22018

Noriko Sakano, Nobuyuki Miyatake + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2011.22018

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Abstract

To investigate the changes in temperatures in Okayama area compared with different levels of three urbanization areas such as Tsuyama, Tokyo areas and Hachijo island in Japan. Data of temperatures in Okayama (1891-2009), Tsuyama (1943-2009), Tokyo areas (1876-2009) and Hachijo Island (1907-2009) in Japan was obtained from Japan Meteorological Agency. Changes in temperatures in 4 areas in Japan were analyzed and compared. By using data from 1943 to 2009, some parameters of temperatures were significantly correlated with years. The change in parameters of temperatures in Hachijo Island was calmest among 4 areas. The changes in mean temperature in August and in a year in Okayama area for 50 years were the highest (August: 1.55?C, Year: 2.05?C) among 4 areas. In addition, correlation coefficient rate between years and the number of days over 35?C in August in Okayama area was highest (r = 0.407, p = 0.0037). Parameters of temperatures were gradually increased with years in Okayama area, especially in recent years. However, those associations were not clearly noted in Hachijo Island. In conclusion, global warming in Okayama might be accelerated more rapidly than that in Tokyo area in recent 50 years.

Highlights

Global warming has become a serious issue for human beings
Parameters of temperatures were gradually increased with years in Okayama area, especially in recent years
Mean temperature in a year, mean of the highest temperatures in a year and mean of the lowest temperatures in a year were significantly correlated with years in Tsuyama and Tokyo areas

Summary

Introduction

The Fourth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at 2007 on climate change has forecast that global warming will have a major impact on health conditions [1]. Global average temperatures are projected to increase between 1.8 and 4.0 °C by the end of 21st century [1]. Heat waves such as Shanghai in 1998 and Paris in 2003 may be representative of the increases in short-term climate change events [2,3,4,5]. Global warming has accelerated, and changes in temperatures were remarkably noted since the 1980s, resulting in increased numbers of heat related disorder in summer [8,9]

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