Comparison of daily extreme temperatures over Eastern China and South Korea between 1996–2005

Abstract

This paper examined the decadal mean, seasonal cycle, and interannual variations of mean and extreme temperatures using daily temperature and relative humidity data from 589 stations over eastern China and South Korea between 1996–2005. The results show that the decadal mean T _m (mean daily mean temperature) and the TN_n (minimum daily minimum temperature) increase from north to south; the opposite spatial gradient is found in the DTR (diurnal temperature range); the value of the DTR over South Korea is in-between that over North China and the mid-low Yangtze River valley; the TX_x (maximum daily maximum temperature) has a unique spatial distribution, with the largest value over eastern China. The highest standard deviation (STD) is located over northern China and the TN_n has the largest area coverage of the high STD. The peak of the seasonal cycle for the T _m, TX_x and TN_n over South Korea (August) occurs one month later than that over eastern China (July). The seasonal cycle of the DTR has two peaks (April and October); the value in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley is larger than that in South Korea during July and August owing to the seasonal northward jump of the major monsoon rain band. The interannual variations of summertime temperature indices including the T _m, TX_x, and DTR over South Korea are consistent (opposite) to that over northern (southern) China. For the wintertime temperature indices however, the variation over South Korea is consistent with that over eastern China.