Our Changing Climate*

Abstract

In a paper published in the Monthly Weather Review in September, 1933, the author discussed long-time temperature trends, and presented data showing that an unusual and extended warm phase of climate had at that time developed through a more or less regular rise in temperature for a comparatively long period of years. The paper also showed that the prevailing condition was widespread, in fact apparently world-wide, and in addition that temperature data up through 1932, the terminal of the records presented in that paper, afforded no indication of an impending trend reversal to more normal thermal conditions in the then near future. Up to the end of 1945, records for 13 subsequent years have become available, and these are here presented, supplementary to the original data, to determine tendencies since 1932. They show that the general upward temperature trend continued for several years but that the more recent records Indicate a leveling off, and even contain currently a suggestion of an impending reversal.