Willett, K.M. and Dunn, R.J.H. and Thorne, Peter and Bell, S. and de Podesta, M. and Parker, D.E. and Jones, P.D. and Williams Jr., C.N. (2014) HadISDH land surface multi-variable humidity and temperature record for climate monitoring. Climate of the Past, 10. pp. 1983-2006. ISSN 1814-9332

Preview

Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

HadISDH.2.0.0 is the first gridded, multi-variable humidity and temperature in situ observations-only climate-data product that is homogenised and annually updated. It provides physically consistent estimates for specific humidity, vapour pressure, relative humidity, dew point temperature, wet bulb temperature, dew point depression and temperature. It is a monthly mean gridded (5° by 5°) product with uncertainty estimates that account for spatio-temporal sampling, climatology calculation, homogenisation and irreducible random measurement effects. It provides a tool for the long-term monitoring of a variety of humidity-related variables which have different impacts and implications for society. It is also useful for climate model evaluation and reanalyses validation. HadISDH.2.0.0 is shown to be in good agreement both with other estimates and with theoretical understanding. The data set is available from 1973 to the present. The theme common to all variables is of a warming world with more water vapour present in the atmosphere. The largest increases in water vapour are found over the tropics and the Mediterranean. Over the tropics and high northern latitudes the surface air over land is becoming more saturated. However, despite increasing water vapour over the mid-latitudes and Mediterranean, the surface air over land is becoming less saturated. These observed features may be due to atmospheric circulation changes, land–sea warming disparities and reduced water availability or changed land surface properties.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	HadISDH land surface multi-variable humidity; temperature record; climate monitoring;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUS
Item ID:	6472
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-10-1983-2014
Depositing User:	Peter Thorne
Date Deposited:	16 Oct 2015 16:13
Journal or Publication Title:	Climate of the Past
Publisher:	European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads