Warm Nights Research Articles

Variations in start date, end date, frequency and intensity of yearly temperature extremes across China during the period 1961–2017

Frequent temperature extremes due to climate change have had serious effects on human society and the natural environment. Using a 0.25° × 0.25° gridded Tmax (daily maximum temperature) and Tmin (daily minimum temperature) data set and 12 global climate models simulations from the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), we investigated variations in yearly temperature extremes in China during the past five decades with respect to four characteristics, namely, their start date, end date, frequency, and intensity. Results showed that the occurrence of nighttime extremes (the cold nights and warm nights) responded strongly to climate change. For 1961–2017, cold extremes started later (3.25 d/decade) and ended earlier (−4.58 d/decade), with decreased frequency (−6.56 d/decade), especially for cold nights, and weakened intensity (0.14 °C/decade). In the same period, warm extremes started earlier (−3.43 d/decade) and ended later (3.15 d/decade) with increased frequency (6.79 d/decade), especially for warm nights, and enhanced intensity (0.09 °C/decade). The spatial pattern of the variations was complex with anomalous regions. Multimodel ensembles (MMEs) from CMIP6 agreed well with observations regarding the average trends of temperature extremes over China, although detailed changes in spatial pattern were not captured adequately. The hazards of temperature extremes deserve close attention in the future due to the complex changes likely to occur across China for various characteristics of these temperature extremes under conditions of climate change.

Doubling of U.S. Population Exposure to Climate Extremes by 2050

AbstractWe quantify historical and projected trends in the population exposure to climate extremes as measured by the United States National Center for Environmental Information Climate Extremes Index (CEI). Based on the analyses of the historical observations, we find that the U.S. has already experienced a rise in the occurrence of aggregated extremes in recent decades, consistent with the climate response to historical increases in radiative forcing. Additionally, we find that exposure can be expected to intensify under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, with all counties permanently exceeding the baseline variability in the occurrence of extreme hot days, warm nights, and drought conditions by 2050. As a result, every county in the U.S. is projected to permanently exceed the historical CEI variability (as measured by one standard deviation during the 1981–2005 period). Based on the current population distribution, this unprecedented change implies a yearly exposure to extreme conditions for one in every three people. We find that the increasing trend in exposure to the aggregated extremes is already detectable over much of the U.S., and particularly in the central and eastern U.S. The high correspondence between the pattern of trends in our simulations and observations increases confidence in the projected amplification of population exposure to unprecedented combinations of extreme climate conditions, should greenhouse gas concentrations continue to escalate along their current trajectory.

Extreme Temperature Change of the Last 110 Years in Changchun, Northeast China

In China and East Asia, the long-term continuous observational data at daily resolution are insufficient, and thus there is a lack of good understanding of the extreme climate variation over the last 100 years plus. In this study, the extreme temperature indices defined by ETCCDI (Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices) and local meteorological administrations were analyzed for Changchun City, Northeast China, by using the daily maximum temperature (Tmax) and daily minimum temperature (Tmin) over 1909−2018. The results showed that extreme cold events, such as cold days, cold nights, frost days, icing days, and low temperature days, decreased significantly at rates of −0.41 d (10 yr)−1, −1.45 d (10 yr)−1, −2.28 d (10 yr)−1, −1.16 d (10 yr)−1 and −1.90 d (10 yr)−1, respectively. Warm nights increased significantly at a rate of 1.71 d (10 yr)−1, but warm days decreased slightly and the number of high temperature days decreased at a rate of −0.20 d (10 yr)−1. The frequency of cold surge events increased significantly at a rate of 0.25 d (10 yr)−1, occurring mainly from the mid-1950s to late-1980s. The average Tmax, average Tmin and extreme Tmin increased at rates of 0.09°C (10 yr)−1, 0.36°C (10 yr)−1 and 0.54°C (10 yr)−1, respectively; and extreme Tmax decreased significantly at a rate of −0.17°C (10 yr)−1. In 1909−2018, 1951−2018 and 1979−2018, the indices related to cold events decreased, while the trends of the indices related to warm events were different for different periods.

Greater basking opportunity and warmer nights during late pregnancy advance modal birth season in a live-bearing gecko, lowering the risk of reduced embryonic condition

AbstractThermal conditions during pregnancy affect the length of gestation and phenotype of offspring in viviparous lizards. However, past studies have typically exposed females to basking treatments throughout pregnancy, meaning that effects specific to late pregnancy (including cues for parturition) or to night temperatures are poorly understood. We examined effects of thermal treatments during late-embryonic development on Woodworthia ‘Otago/Southland’, a viviparous gecko with an unusual capacity to reproduce annually or biennially. Among females from a cool-climate, biennially reproducing population, elevated levels of basking opportunity and night temperature during late summer together increased the proportion of births occurring before winter in the laboratory. Offspring born before winter also had higher mass and body condition than those born after winter. Regardless of the season, the daytime body temperature of females declined shortly before parturition (putatively assisting survival of fully developed embryos in utero), then increased immediately after parturition to match that of neonates. Overall, the combined effects of warmer days and nights could help to explain geographical variation in birth season for this species. Furthermore, climate change might shift the modal birth season at cool sites from spring to the preceding autumn, with loss of offspring mass in utero over warm winters also potentially favouring a shift in birth season over time.

Analysis of climate extremes indices over northeast Brazil from 1961 to 2014

An analysis of climate extremes indices was conducted for maximum temperatures (TMax), minimum temperatures (TMin), and daily rainfall data (PRCP) over the northeast region of Brazil for the period of 1961–2014. The indices were calculated for 96 weather stations using RClimDex software in a sub-regional study based on cluster analysis, as well as for each individual weather station, after a rigorous process of quality control, gap filling of missing values, and homogenization. The Mann-Kendall non-parametric trend test was employed to assess the statistical significance of the series. The results indicate unequivocal signs of heating. In the past decades, there were predominant trends of decrease in the percentage of cold nights (−8.4% days/decade), increase in the percentage of the number of warm nights (10.6% days/decade), increase in the number of days per decade in which the minimum temperature exceeded the threshold of 20 °C, and a trend showing an increase in heat waves. This was corroborated by the declining trend in the number of consecutive days in which TMin did not exceed the 10th percentile, and the increase in the number of consecutive days in which TMax exceeded the 90th percentile in the data distribution. With regard to PRCP, in most weather stations where there is a significant increase in consecutive dry days, there is also a trend of significant increase in consecutive wet days, thereby intensifying the seasonality, with the dry seasons becoming drier and the rainy seasons wetter. In most weather stations, a reduction was found in the total annual precipitation and in the frequency of rainy days. Moreover, in many stations, an increase in rainfall events that surpasses the threshold of 95% and 99% in the distribution was discovered. These factors highlight concerns of a region of Brazil marked by the scarcity of perennial water resources and the threat of desertification.

Multi-model synthesis of future extreme temperature indices over Zambia

Although temperature is one of the most important climate variables to be considered in adapting systems to climate change, its study over Zambia has until recently been largely ignored. A dearth of the literature on future temperature extremes is especially apparent. For the first time, future extreme temperature variability is analysed in Zambia for the period 1961–2100. The nonparametric Mann–Kendall test statistic is used at 5% significant level to compute trends. Sen’s slope estimator is used to give the magnitude of the observed trends. A two-tailed Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistical test is used to calculate the significance of the observed changes. What stands out from the findings is that warm days and nights become warmer while cool days and nights are projected to become non-existent by 2100. Additionally, an increase in radiative forcing and time is seen to intensify extreme temperature events. Notably, much of southern Zambia is projected to experience ~ 30% increment in TX90p while the northern half will experience ~ 40% under RCP4.5 by the middle of the century (2021–2050). If the business-as-usual trajectory (RCP8.5) is followed, an intensification of TX90p is observed with ~ 40% in the southern half of the country and ~ 50% in the northern half. These projections are observed to almost double towards the end of the century (2071–2100). The projected increase in warm nights (TN90p) is more over Luapula and Northwestern province while the lowest is observed over the Livingstone/Magoye region. These results provide a foundation for strategic planning purposes to avert losses related to extreme temperature.

Transient Carbon Reserves in Barley: Malate, Sucrose and Starch Are the Main Players, Their Quantitative Involvement Being Light Intensity Dependant.

Under natural environment plants experience different light intensities which can affect photosynthesis and consequently the availability of carbohydrates for daytime growth and their transient storage to supply night growth. We grew a spring barley cultivar, Propino, under three different light intensities under warm days and nights, and evaluated the spatial and diurnal adjustments occurring in the transient carbon stores. Leaves under high light at the end of the day accumulated mainly sucrose (30%) and malate (35%), with lower content of hexoses (5%), starch (15%) and fructans (15%). Under low light, plants presented reduced photosynthesis, with lower metabolite contents at end of day. The malate represented 51% of the total carbon accumulated at end of the day, at the expense of sucrose (12%), other metabolite contributions remaining similar to high light. The percentage of metabolites consumed at night was similar for all light intensities with around 75% of the sucrose and starch being mobilized whilst malate and fructans were only partially mobilized with 56 and 44%, respectively. Altogether, sucrose and malate were the main contributors of the total carbon used at night by barley plants, sucrose being predominant under high light (35% vs. 27%), but malate being the major metabolite used under low light with 40% of the total carbon consumed. Interestingly, light intensity also influenced the location of the C transient stores, the plants under low light prioritizing the accumulation of the metabolites, mostly malate, in the youngest tissues. Therefore, light influences quantitatively, but also qualitatively and spatially the carbon stores in the spring barley cv. Propino, suggesting a tight regulation of the primary metabolism.

Variations in extreme temperature and precipitation for a Caribbean island: Barbados (1969–2017)

Changes in temperature and precipitation can have direct effects on a country’s economic and sustainable development. This study presents the historical trends in daily extreme temperature and precipitation indices for Barbados, a Caribbean island, for the period 1969–2017. Linear trends were determined on monthly, seasonal, and annual indices derived from daily rainfall, and daily maximum and minimum temperatures collected at Husbands using the Mann-Kendall trend test and the Sen slope estimator. Annual precipitation total, the simple daily rainfall intensity index (SDII), and the total precipitation when daily rainfall was greater than the 95th percentile (R95P) changed significantly by 3.9% per decade, 0.38 mm day−1 per decade, and 2.9% per decade, respectively. Annual trends in mean maximum (TXmean) and mean minimum temperatures (TNmean), 0.06 °C decade−1 and 0.34 °C decade−1, respectively, mask stronger monthly warming trends: TXmean for September and October both warmed at a rate of approximately 0.17 °C decade−1 while TNmean for April warmed at 0.40 °C decade−1. In addition, warming manifests in the frequency of warm nights and cool days at rates of 4.23% per decade and − 2.34% per decade, respectively. Of the extreme temperature indices, the percentage of warm nights (TN90P), cool nights (TN10P), the maximum of the daily minimum temperature (TNX), and the minimum of the daily minimum temperature (TNn) show trends in their monthly indices. These trends indicate warming at Husbands, Barbados, to a greater degree in increasing nighttime temperatures than daytime temperatures.

Heat wave trends in Southeast Asia during 1979–2018: The impact of humidity

In tropics, especially Southeast Asia (SEA), heat wave (HW) research is seriously scarce although several global studies have projected this region to be greatly susceptible to increasing HW events under climate change scenarios. Using the recently released ERA5 reanalysis data, we find that in most parts of SEA, HWs are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and stronger, no matter using dry-bulb or wet-bulb temperatures to define HW. The increasing trends of HW characteristics based on minimum temperatures are larger than those based on maximum temperatures, suggesting an alarming situation of anomalously warm night. HW characteristics based on wet-bulb temperatures show higher increasing rates in the IndoChina Peninsula and Malay Peninsula than those based on dry-bulb temperatures. Nearly all HW characteristics are significantly correlated with El Niño index, but Indian Ocean Dipole only significantly impacts HW characteristics based on wet-bulb temperature in Java. Results derived from other reanalysis products exhibit general agreement with those from ERA5, lending support to the findings reported herein. This study highlights the different role of humidity in changing HW trends in different regions of SEA, and calls for attention to the associated risk of increasing nighttime temperatures during HWs.

Learning from the 2018 heatwave in the context of climate change: are high-temperature extremes important for adaptation in Scotland?

To understand whether high temperatures and temperature extremes are important for climate change adaptation in Scotland, we place the 2018 heatwave in the context of past, present, and future climate, and provide a rapid but comprehensive impact analysis. The observed hottest day (d), 5 d, and 30 d period of 2018 and the 5 d period with the warmest nights had return periods of 5–15 years for 1950–2018. The warmest night and the maximum 30 d average nighttime temperature were more unusual with return periods of >30 years. Anthropogenic climate change since 1850 has made all these high-temperature extremes more likely. Higher risk ratios are found for experiments from the CMIP6-generation global climate model HadGEM3-GA6 compared to those from the very-large ensemble system weather@home. Between them, the best estimates of the risk ratios for daytime extremes range between 1.2–2.4, 1.2–2.3, and 1.4–4.0 for the 1, 5, and 30 d averages. For the corresponding nighttime extremes, the values are higher and the ranges wider (1.5- >50, 1.5–5.5, and 1.6- >50). The short-period nighttime extremes were more likely in 2018 than in 2017, suggesting a contribution from year-to-year climate variability to the risk enhancement of extreme temperatures due to anthropogenic effects. Climate projections suggest further substantial increases in the likelihood of 2018 temperatures between now and 2050, and that towards the end of the century every summer might be as hot as 2018. Major negative impacts occurred, especially on rural sectors, while transport and water infrastructure alleviated most impacts by implementing costly special measures. Overall, Scotland could cope with the impacts of the 2018 heatwave. However, given the likelihood increase of high-temperature extremes, uncertainty about consequences of even higher temperatures and/or repeated heatwaves, and substantial costs of preventing negative impacts, we conclude that despite its cool climate, high-temperature extremes are important to consider for climate change adaptation in Scotland.

Diurnal patterns of growth and transient reserves of sink and source tissues are affected by cold nights in barley.

Barley is described to mostly use sucrose for night carbon requirements. To understand how the transient carbon is accumulated and utilized in response to cold, barley plants were grown in a combination of cold days and/or nights. Both daytime and night cold reduced growth. Sucrose was the main carbohydrate supplying growth at night, representing 50-60% of the carbon consumed. Under warm days and nights, starch was the second contributor with 26% and malate the third with 15%. Under cold nights, the contribution of starch was severely reduced, due to an inhibition of its synthesis, including under warm days, and malate was the second contributor to C requirements with 24-28% of the total amount of carbon consumed. We propose that malate plays a critical role as an alternative carbon source to sucrose and starch in barley. Hexoses, malate, and sucrose mobilization and starch accumulation were affected in barley elf3 clock mutants, suggesting a clock regulation of their metabolism, without affecting growth and photosynthesis however. Altogether, our data suggest that the mobilization of sucrose and malate and/or barley growth machinery are sensitive to cold.

Variability and change of climate extremes from indigenous herder knowledge and at meteorological stations across central Mongolia

In semi-arid regions, air temperatures have increased in the last decades more than in many other parts of the world. Mongolia has an arid/semi-arid climate and much of the population are herders whose livelihoods depend upon limited water resources that fluctuate with a variable climate. Herders were surveyed to identify their observations of changes in climate extremes for two soums of central Mongolia, Ikh-Tamir in the forest steppe north of the Khangai Mountains and Jinst in the desert steppe south of the mountains. The herders’ indigenous knowledge of changes in climate extremes mostly aligned with the station-based analyses of change. Temperatures were warming with more warm days and nights at all stations. There were fewer cool days and nights observed at the mountain stations both in the summer and winter, yet more cool days and nights were observed in the winter at the desert steppe station. The number of summer days is increasing while the number of frost days is decreasing at all stations. The results of this study support further use of local knowledge and meteorological observations to provide more holistic analysis of climate change in different regions of the world.

The relation of climate extremes with global warming in the Mediterranean region and its north versus south contrast

This study uses the results of 28 CMIP5 global climate projections to link regional climate extremes in the Mediterranean region to the global mean annual surface temperature change. It shows that global warming will further increase the existing difference in intensity of precipitation and hydrological extremes between north and south Mediterranean areas (SMed and NMed, respectively), while the increase/decrease of warm/cold temperature extremes will be only marginally larger in the SMed. The Simple daily precipitation intensity index (SDII) and the total precipitation during very wet days (R95pTOT) are already larger in the NMed than in the SMed; they will increase with global warming at a rate of approximately 0.1 mm/K and 5 mm/K, respectively, in the NMed, with no significant change in the SMed. The maximum number of consecutive dry days (CDD) is already larger in the SMed than in the NMed and will increase more in the former than in the latter (rates are about 8 days/K and 5 days/K, respectively). Global warming will not affect the difference of maximum number of consecutive wet days (CWD), which is presently larger in the NMed than in the SMed and will decrease at a similar rate (about 0.5 days/K) in both areas. Changes of temperature extremes (warm nights, TN90p, and cold days, TX10p) will be similar in the north and south Mediterranean, though marginally larger in several areas of the SMed than in the NMed. Their increase will be dramatic and with a 4 K global warming almost all nights will be warm and there will be no cold days.

Changes of temperature and precipitation extremes in a typical arid and semiarid zone: Observations and multi‐model ensemble projections

AbstractThe spatiotemporal changes of temperature and precipitation extremes in a typical arid and semiarid zone (Gansu Province, China) were investigated, including the latest observations (1960–2016) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX‐GDDP) dataset that provides statistically downscaled Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) future climate projections (2017–2099) based on the Mann–Kendall test, linear regression, 5‐year smoothed average and Bayesian model average (BMA) methods. The results show the following: (a) Apart from a slight decrease of diurnal temperature range (DTR), other temperature extreme indices presented significant trends over 1960–2016. Annual regional nighttime temperature increased at a faster rate than daytime temperature. In the seasonal series, cool nights (TN10p) and cool days (TX10p) showed significant decreases and warm nights (TN90p) and warm days (TX90p) significantly increased in all seasons. (b) Precipitation extreme indices showed decreasing trends, except for the max 1‐day precipitation (RX1DAY) and simple daily intensity index (SDII) with a weaker coherence of spatial patterns. From the perspective of spatial characteristics, the western area had an increasing trend of total precipitation while the east had a significant decreasing trend. In the seasonal series, a significant increase of RX1DAY and the max 5‐day precipitation (RX5DAY) was found in winter, as compared with spring, summer and autumn. (c) Positive trends in warm indices (i.e., summer days, tropical days, warm nights and warm days) and negative trends in cold indices (i.e., frost days, ice days, cool nights and cool days) can be observed in the 21st century. A slightly decreasing consecutive dry days (CDD), together with obviously increasing heavy precipitation days (R10), extremely wet days (R99p), RX5DAY and SDII, suggests more extreme precipitation for 2017–2099. The results are of practical use in improving regional strategies for water resources and eco‐environment management, especially for arid and semiarid regions.

Analysis of Temperature and Precipitation Trends Observed at Some Selected Districts of Punjab, Pakistan

Present study examines the trends of extreme daily temperature and rainfall indices in some selectedmeteorological stations/districts of the Punjab. Due to paucity of data only six weather stations were selected from thewhole Punjab, having data of 33 years for temperature and precipitation on daily basis. A set of 14 indices(recommended by climate ET) were used to calculate the trends over a period of 32 years (1985–2017) by usingRClimDex (1.0) software package. These results showed that the number of tropical nights (TR20) and warm nights(TN90p) has been increasing in selected weather stations/districts and number for cool nights (TN10p) has been falling.Other temperature related indices trends such as, summer days, warms days, warm spell duration indicator (WSDI) andcool spell duration (CSDI) shows a mix pattern. The precipitation indices like SDII, RX1day, R10mm and PRCPTOTshowed an increasing trend in some selected stations. Most of the trends were not significant at level of 0.05 % whilemaximum day temperature increase has been observed at five out of six selected stations. Similarly, an average increasein precipitation in the vicinity of 3 mm per decade has been noted. The annual total rainfall and number of heavyrainfall days has also increased by 18 mm and 8.4 mm respectively during each decade. The analysis identified andhighlighted a slight change which was not temporally and spatially rational. However, there is need to more andadequate yearly data of different weather stations across the Punjab to identify the ongoing apparent and impeccablechanges in climate of the Punjab province.

Analysis of Temperature and Precipitation Trends Observed at Some Selected Districts of Punjab, Pakistan

Present study examines the trends of extreme daily temperature and rainfall indices in some selectedmeteorological stations/districts of the Punjab. Due to paucity of data only six weather stations were selected from thewhole Punjab, having data of 33 years for temperature and precipitation on daily basis. A set of 14 indices(recommended by climate ET) were used to calculate the trends over a period of 32 years (1985–2017) by usingRClimDex (1.0) software package. These results showed that the number of tropical nights (TR20) and warm nights(TN90p) has been increasing in selected weather stations/districts and number for cool nights (TN10p) has been falling.Other temperature related indices trends such as, summer days, warms days, warm spell duration indicator (WSDI) andcool spell duration (CSDI) shows a mix pattern. The precipitation indices like SDII, RX1day, R10mm and PRCPTOTshowed an increasing trend in some selected stations. Most of the trends were not significant at level of 0.05 % whilemaximum day temperature increase has been observed at five out of six selected stations. Similarly, an average increasein precipitation in the vicinity of 3 mm per decade has been noted. The annual total rainfall and number of heavyrainfall days has also increased by 18 mm and 8.4 mm respectively during each decade. The analysis identified andhighlighted a slight change which was not temporally and spatially rational. However, there is need to more andadequate yearly data of different weather stations across the Punjab to identify the ongoing apparent and impeccablechanges in climate of the Punjab province.

Trends in extreme temperature and rainfall indices in the semi-arid areas of Western Tigray, Ethiopia

BackgroundAfrica is the most vulnerable continent in the world; which recurrent droughts, extreme temperature and rainfall affects agriculture and food security. The aim of this study was to analyze the trends in extreme temperature and rainfall in major sesame producing areas in western Tigray using RClimDex software. We selected eight temperature and nine rainfall indices from 27 extreme temperature and rainfall indices, which are recommended by joint CCL/CLIVAR/JCOMM Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). A non-parametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimates were used to test the statistical significance and trend of each of the extreme temperature and rainfall indices, respectively.ResultsNumber of heavy rainy days, number of very heavy rainy days, very wet days, extremely wet days, and maximum 5 days precipitation showed a negative trend, with significant (p < 0.05) decrease throughout the study area. Monthly maximum value of maximum and minimum value of maximum temperature, monthly maximum and minimum value of minimum temperature, hot days and hot nights revealed positive trend throughout the study areas. Total rainfall was decreasing significantly (p < 0.05) by 13.34 mm, 13.8 mm, 14.65 mm, 10.9 mm and 8.4 mm/year at Humera and Dansha, Adiremets, Maygaba, Maytsebri and Sheraro, and Adigoshu, respectively. Spatial analysis on extreme temperature also indicated there was relatively lower variability on minimum temperature in Humera, Dansha, Adiremets, and Adigoshu. On average, the western part of Tigray experienced a reduction in total rainfall ranging 8.45 to 14.7 mm/year; and increase in average maximum temperature of 0.04 to 0.051 °C/year since 1983 to 2016. The results also revealed an increase in warm nights and warm days ranging from 0.31 to 0.62 days, and 0.38 to 0.71 days/year, respectively.ConclusionsIncrease in temperature and decrease in amount of rainfall may have a negative impact on crop transpiration, photosynthetic rate and soil water balance; exacerbating distribution and infestation of malaria and leishmaniasis. The results in this study could have an important role in identifying possible present and future production strategies on sesame, cotton, and sorghum crops, which are essential cash crops produced by farmers and investors.

Extreme Temperature Events during 1960–2017 in the Arid Region of Northwest China: Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Associated Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation

Studying the dynamic changes of extreme temperatures and associated large-scale atmospheric circulation is important for predicting the occurrence of extreme temperatures and reducing their adverse impact and damage. Based on the surface temperature data sets collected from 87 weather stations over the arid region of Northwest China (ARNC) during 1960–2017, the Sen’s slope estimator, Mann–Kendall test, Cumulative anomaly, Moving t-test, and Synthetic analysis methods were used to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics and breaking-point change characteristics of extreme temperatures, and to discuss its associated large-scale atmospheric circulation. The results revealed that at the temporal scale, summer days (SU25), warm days (TX90p), warm nights (TN90p), and warm spell duration indicator (WSDI) showed a remarkable increasing trend at the rates of 2.27, 1.49, 3, and 2.28 days/decade, respectively. The frost days (FD), cold days (TX10p), cold nights (TN10p), and cold spell duration indicator (CSDI) significantly decreased at the rates of −3.71, −0.86, −1.77, and −0.76 days/decade, respectively, during the study period. Spatially, the warming trend in the study area is very obvious as a whole, despite pronounced spatial differences in warming rate. After the breakpoint years, the frequency and probability distribution for extreme warm and cold indices were all inclined to the hotter part of the density distribution. This indicates that the climate over the study region shifted sharply and tended to be warmer. The analysis of large-scale atmospheric circulation indicates that the warming trend in the arid region of Northwest China (ARNC) is positively correlated with geopotential height at 500 hPa and negatively correlated with total cloudiness. The findings from this study have important implications for forecasting extreme temperature events and mitigating the impacts of climatological disasters in this region.

Variability of hydroxyl radical (OH) reactivity in the Landes maritime pine forest: results from the LANDEX campaign 2017

Abstract. Total hydroxyl radical (OH) reactivity measurements were conducted during the LANDEX intensive field campaign in a coniferous temperate forest located in the Landes area, southwestern France, during July 2017. In order to investigate inter-canopy and intra-canopy variability, measurements were performed inside (6 m) and above the canopy level (12 m), as well as at two different locations within the canopy, using a comparative reactivity method (CRM) and a laser photolysis–laser-induced fluorescence (LP-LIF) instrument. The two techniques were intercompared at the end of the campaign by performing measurements at the same location. Volatile organic compounds were also monitored at both levels with a proton transfer time-of-flight mass spectrometer and online gas chromatography instruments to evaluate their contribution to total OH reactivity, with monoterpenes being the main reactive species emitted in this forest dominated by Pinus pinaster Aiton. Total OH reactivity varied diurnally, following the trend of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), the emissions and concentrations of which were dependent on meteorological parameters. Average OH reactivity was around 19.2 and 16.5 s−1 inside and above the canopy, respectively. The highest levels of total OH reactivity were observed during nights with a low turbulence (u*≤0.2 m s−1), leading to lower mixing of emitted species within the canopy and thus an important vertical stratification characterized by a strong concentration gradient. Comparing the measured and the calculated OH reactivity highlighted an average missing OH reactivity of 22 % and 33 % inside and above the canopy, respectively. A day–night variability was observed on missing OH reactivity at both heights. Investigations showed that during daytime, missing OH sinks could be due to primary emissions and secondary products linked to a temperature-enhanced photochemistry. Regarding nighttime missing OH reactivity, higher levels were seen for the stable and warm night of 4–5 July, showing that these conditions could have been favorable for the accumulation of long-lived species (primary and secondary species) during the transport of the air mass from nearby forests.

Conspicuous temperature extremes over Southeast Asia: seasonal variations under 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming

Guided by the Paris Agreement, the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C reported potential risks of climate change at different global warming levels (GWLs). To provide fundamental information on future temperature extremes over Southeast Asia (SEA), projected changes in temperature extreme indices are evaluated for different seasons at 1.5 °C and 2 °C GWLs against the historical reference period of 1976–2005 based on the ensemble of CORDEX simulations. Results show that the temperature indices increase significantly across the Indochina Peninsula and Maritime Continent at both GWLs except for decreasing daily temperature range (DTR) in the dry season, with more pronounced magnitudes at 2 °C GWL. Moreover, the regionally averaged ensemble medians of the indices show various changes over different subregions. At 1.5 °C and 2 °C GWLs, most pronounced increases of threshold indices. i.e. summer days (SU) and tropical nights (TR), are projected in Sumatra and Sulawesi for both wet and dry seasons. The warm spell duration (WSDI) increases generally, with strongest magnitudes for Sumatra and Sulawesi (Philippines and Sulawesi) in the wet (dry) season. On the other hand, significant increases of warm days and nights can also be observed at 2 °C GWL compared to 1.5 °C, particularly in the dry season, suggesting the high sensitivity of temperature extremes over the SEA. The projected potentially conspicuous temperature extremes under global warming of 1.5 °C and 2 °C primarily concentrate on the densely populated coastal regions of the main islands, showing the necessity of restricting global warming to 1.5 °C aiming at the eradication and reduction of regional climate stress for the human system in the developing countries over the SEA.