Trends in cloud cover from 1960 to 2005 over South Africa

Abstract

Seasonal trends in low and total cloud cover, as well as for associated climate variables diurnal temperature range (DTR) and number of rain days, are investigated for South Africa. It is also investigated whether the observed trends and variability in cloud cover could be related to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which has a major influence on the variability of summer rainfall in South Africa. These trends have not been investigated recently and in such detail. In the light of the climate change debate, updated studies of historical climate change are important, especially for regions and climate variables of which such studies are not published often. Seasonal trends of daily means were examined from quality-control led data time series of 28 climate stations over South Africa, for the period 1960 to 2005. Regional trends could be determined by averaging series of stations showing similar trends, within areas delineated in such a way that the trend of the averaged series would be statistically significant.

Authors

Categories