The temporal and spatial patterns of thermal conditions in the area of the southwestern coast of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland) from 1951 to 1998

Abstract

AbstractThe variability of the thermal conditions in the environs of the southwestern coast of the Gulf of Gdańsk in the years 1951–98 has been analysed. The analyses were based on air temperature series from four stations characteristic of different locations. During the years analysed, the increase in minimum temperature was stronger than that of the maximum temperature; thus, a negative trend in the daily temperature range is observed. In the city, the statistically significant decrease in the daily temperature range is estimated as 0.015°C per annum. Mean values of both extreme temperatures indicate the thermally privileged areas, where stronger influences of local anthropogenic factors occur. The variability of heat and cold waves shows a positive trend in the number of heat waves and a negative trend for cold waves. The duration of heat waves is increasing. The duration of cold waves is characterized by a negative trend. Canonical correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between regional atmospheric circulation and local thermal conditions. The first two pairs of canonical maps explain 84% of the variance of the local daily temperature range and confirm the role of local factors in a differentiation of the thermal conditions. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society