Trends in Precipitation and Air Temperature Time Series in Lexington/KY-USA

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the temporal climatic characteristics of precipitation and air temperature in Lexington/KY-USA, in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Data were taken using Campbell Scientific Inc. data loggers (21 and 23X) and sensors, for the time period between January 1978 and December 2008. Maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation (liquid equivalent) were based on the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight. The time trends of the climatic elements were studied using the Mann-Kendal statistical test, which is a non-parametric test for identifying trends in time series data. Statistically, no significant trends in precipitation were detected, although a relative large natural year-to-year variability was observed. A short-term, positive-sloped trend in the maximum and minimum air temperature was observed in January and for maximum air temperature in February, for the period.