Summary
We developed a statistical model relating cyclone track eigenvectors over the U.S., southern Canada, and nearby oceans to a record of mean annual 500 mb heights. The length of the cyclone track record allowed us to calculate mean heights back to 1885. Use of mean annual surface pressure data allowed us to estimate the mean 1 000-500 mb thickness, which was related to mean annual temperature. This temperature calculation is unique in that it cannot suffer from urban or site bias. We find a warming of 1.5°C from the late 19th century to 1955, followed by a drop of 0.7° to 1980. By 1987, the calculated temperatures were 0.3° above the mean for 103 years of record.
As an example of regional application, we examine results over the southwestern U.S.
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Michaels, P.J., Sappington, D.E., Stooksbury, D.E. et al. Regional 500 mb heights and U.S. 1 000-500 mb thickness prior to the radiosonde era. Theor Appl Climatol 42, 149–154 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00866870
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00866870