Air temperature time series for King George Island, Antarctica

Abstract

Presents continuous time series of mean annual and seasonal air temperatures for King George Island for 1947-1995 combining data from several meteorological stations in South Shetland Islands, including analysis of trends and comparison with monthly sea ice extent recorded at 60°W. Record shows warming trend of 0.022°C a⁻¹, giving rise of 1.1°C in 49 years. Most pronounced seasonal warming trend was in winter, and trends are better defined than at Faraday station. Abrupt variation in mean annual temperature, up to 3.9°C over three years, have been recorded. Spectral analysis of these time series shows cycles of 5.3 and 9.6 years. A one-month lag is observed between winter months mean temperatures in King George Island and sea ice extent in 60°W sector CN - 148 F