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Examination of diurnal temperature range at coterminous U.S. stations during Sept. 8–17, 2001

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Abstract

The tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 resulted in suspension of commercial flights over North America. It has been suggested that the diurnal temperature range (DTR) increased due to an absence of airplane contrails. This study examined hourly data observed at 288 stations. The average DTR, temperature, maximum/minimum temperature and relative humidity were found for each day in 2001 and compared to the average value occurring during 1975–2005. For the coterminous U.S., the DTR averaged over the period Sept. 11–14, 2001 was about 1°C larger than that found for the 3 days prior and after the flight ban. However, the day-to-day DTR does not correlate well with the flight ban. Plots of the change in DTR throughout North America during Sept. 8–17 show changes consistent with the natural progression of weather systems.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Environment Canada and J. Comeaux of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research for access to the station observations and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for financial support.

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  1. Physics Department, York University, Petrie Bldg. 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON, Canada, M3J 1P3

    W. A. van Wijngaarden

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  1. W. A. van Wijngaarden
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Correspondence to W. A. van Wijngaarden.

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van Wijngaarden, W.A. Examination of diurnal temperature range at coterminous U.S. stations during Sept. 8–17, 2001. Theor Appl Climatol 109, 1–5 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-011-0559-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-011-0559-9

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