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About the observed and future changes in temperature extremes over India

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Abstract

An attempt is made in the present study to analyse observed and model simulated temperature extremes over Indian region. Daily maximum and minimum temperature data at 121 well-distributed stations for the period 1970–2003 have been used to study the observed changes in objectively defined values of temperature extremes. In addition, an assessment of future scenarios of temperature extremes associated with increase in the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases is done using simulations of a state-of-the-art regional climate modelling system known as PRECIS (Providing Regional Climate for Impact Studies) performed to generate the climate for the present (1961–1990) and future projections for the period 2071–2100. Observational analysis done with 121 stations suggests the widespread warming through increase in intensity and frequency of hot events and also with decrease in frequency of cold events. More than 75% stations show decreasing trend in number of cold events and about 70% stations show increasing trend in hot events. Percentage of stations towards the warming through intensity indices of highest maximum temperature, lowest minimum temperature is 78 and 71% stations, respectively. Remaining stations show opposite trends, however, most of them are statistically insignificant. Observational analysis for India as a whole also shows similar results. Composite anomalies for monthly temperature extremes over two equal parts of the data period show increase (decrease) in the frequency of hot (cold) events for all months. In general, PRECIS simulations under both A2 and B2 scenarios indicate increase (decrease) in hot (cold) extremes towards the end of twenty-first century. Both show similar patterns, but the B2 scenario shows slightly lower magnitudes of the projected changes. Temperatures are likely to increase in entire calendar year, but the changes in winter season are expected to be prominent. Diurnal temperature range is expected to decrease in winter (JF) and pre-monsoon (MAM) months.

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Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to Dr. B. N. Goswami, Director, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), for kind encouragement and all facilities to carry out this work, to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Government of United Kingdom, for sponsoring this project and the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India, for coordinating its implementation. In particular, the active interest and encouragement of Dr. David Warrilow of DEFRA and Dr. Subodh Sharma of MoEF have been of great help. Thanks are due to the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, UK Meteorological Office, for making available regional models and their data products required for this study.

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  1. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, 411008, India

    J. V. Revadekar, D. R. Kothawale, S. K. Patwardhan, G. B. Pant & K. Rupa Kumar

  2. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

    K. Rupa Kumar

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  1. J. V. Revadekar
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  2. D. R. Kothawale
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  3. S. K. Patwardhan
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Correspondence to J. V. Revadekar.

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Revadekar, J.V., Kothawale, D.R., Patwardhan, S.K. et al. About the observed and future changes in temperature extremes over India. Nat Hazards 60, 1133–1155 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9895-4

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