A Study of Maximum and Minimum Temperatures Trends at Junagadh (Saurashtra Region) of Gujarat, India

Abstract

This paper, therefore, attempts to study temporal variation in temperature over Junagadh (Saurashtra Region) of Gujarat, India, India, during the period 1980-2011. The long-term change in temperature has been evaluated by Mann–Kendall rank statistics and linear trend. An important aspect of the present study is the significant cooling trend in mean annual temperature, which is more predominant during winter season. The summer season also shows significant cooling trend due to slightly decrease in Tmax. This cooling trend in Junagadh (Saurashtra Region) Gujarat, India temperature is supported by studies conducted by other researchers (Rupa Kumar and Hingane, 1988). These authors studied the temperature for Junagadh (Saurashtra region) Gujarat, India during the period 1980-2007 and observed a cooling trend, but not significant at any level. Against this background, in the present study, temperature data during the period 1980-2011 have been studied. The result indicates significant slightly decrease in winter temperature at 0.01 level. This suggests that the last decade has witnessed a phenomenal epoch in temperature series, leading to a decreasing trend from non-significant to significant. Contrary to this, the monsoon season shows warming trend. This may be due to significant increase in the low cloud amount during this season. We are still a long way from understanding the complex interaction of many physical processes that determine the evolution of climate.