Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Secular Fluctuations Of Temperature In The Rocky Mountain States And A Comparison With Precipitation Fluctuations, Raymond S. Bradley

Raymond S Bradley

Fluctuations of temperature in the Rocky Mountain states of Idaho. Montana. Wyoming. Colorado and Utah are analyzed forthe period 1891-1978. Prior to 1891. data forthis area are too sparse to make meaningful generalizations. After screening temperature data for homogeneity. selected records are used to map seasonal mean temperature departures from 1941-70 means. In all seasons. mean temperatures were higher by 1-I.soC during the last 40 years compared to the previous 40-50 years. However. spring and fall temperatures have been declining since the period maximum in the late 1930·s. Pentad mean winter and summer temperatures show a statistically significant temperature increase …