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Spatial-Temporal Variations in January Temperature in Pakistan and Their Possible Links with SLP and 500-hPa Levels over the Period of 1950-2000: A Geographical Approach
Department of Geography, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Department of Geography, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Pakistan Meteorological Department, Islamabad, Pakistan
Key laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China
Key laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China
- 1 Department of Geography, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
- 2 Department of Geography, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
- 3 Pakistan Meteorological Department, Islamabad, Pakistan
- 4 Key laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China
- 5 Key laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China
Atmospheric and Climate Sciences·Volume 04 (2014)·Pages 524–533·Published 21 August 2014·DOI10.4236/acs.2014.44048
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Abstract
By making use of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis the spatial and temporal variability was investigated in January over the period of 1950 to 2000 in Pakistan. The analysis is based on the combination of ground observed mean monthly temperature data and National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data of sea level pressure (SLP) and 500-hPa fields. The results reasonably reveal that the variation in January temperature have links with global teleconnections at SLP and 500-hPa pressure heights. The analysis shows variability at interannual to interdecadal time scale. The interannual variation is more prominent than the interdecadal signal of temperature anomaly. The simulated coefficient patterns show reasonable variation with regional detail from south (north) to north (south) in the study area. The study could be useful as baseline information for climate change studies in Pakistan.
KeywordsPakistanJanuary TemperatureInterannual VariabilitySpatial VariationsEmpirical Orthogonal Function
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