Development of a Submonthly Temperature Product to Monitor Near-Real-Time Climate Conditions and Assess Long-Term Heat Events in the United States

Abstract

Land surface air temperature products have been essential for monitoring the evolution of the climate system. Before a temperature dataset is included in such analyses, it is important that nonclimatic influences be removed or changed so that the dataset is considered to be homogenous. These inhomogeneities include changes in station location, instrumentation, and observing practices. Many homogenized products exist on the monthly time scale, but few daily and weekly products exist. Recently, a submonthly homogenized dataset has been developed using data and software from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. Homogeneous daily data are useful for identification and attribution of extreme heat events. Projections of increasing temperatures are expected to result in corresponding increases in the frequency, duration, and intensity of such events. It is also established that heat events can have significant public health impacts, including increases in mortality and morbidity. The method to identify extreme heat events using daily homogeneous temperature data is described and used to develop a climatology of heat event onset, length, and severity. This climatology encompasses nearly 3000 extreme maximum and minimum temperature events across the United States since 1901. A sizeable number of events occurred during the Dust Bowl period of the 1930s; however, trend analysis shows an increase in heat event number and length since 1951. Overnight extreme minimum temperature events are increasing more than daytime maximum temperatures, and regional analysis shows that events are becoming much more prevalent in the western and southeastern parts of the United States.

Evaluating the Sensitivity of Heat Wave Definitions among North Carolina Physiographic Regions

“…Daily mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures were obtained from the Global Historical Climate Network–Daily (GHCN-D) database [ 7 , 22 ]. Dew point data were obtained from the Parameter-elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) database [ 23 ].…”

“…In the United States (US), roughly 700 heat-related deaths per year are attributable to ambient temperature exposure [ 5 ]. The frequency and intensity of heat waves have been on the rise since the industrial revolution and are likely to increase in the future due to climate change [ 6 , 7 ]. In Philadelphia, heat-related risk communication, along with the NWS warnings, played a crucial role in minimizing up to three heat-related deaths per day that are associated with extreme heat exposure [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Evaluating the Sensitivity of Heat Wave Definitions Among North Carolina Physiographic Regions

“…Daily mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures were obtained from the Global Historical Climate Network -Daily (GHCN-D) database [7,22]. Dew point data was obtained from the Parameter-elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) database [23].…”

“…In the United States (US), roughly 700 heat-related deaths per year are attributable to ambient temperature exposure [5]. The frequency and intensity of heat waves have been on the rise since the industrial revolution and are likely to increase in the future due to climate change [6,7]. In Philadelphia, heat-related risk communication, along with the NWS warnings, played a crucial role in minimizing up to 3 heat-related deaths per day that are associated with extreme heat exposure [8,9].…”

Mapping Heat Vulnerability Index Based on Different Urbanization Levels in Nebraska, USA

“…Numerous studies suggest that heatwaves cause the highest number of weather‐related mortalities in North America (Braga et al., 2002; Chestnut et al., 1998; Curriero et al., 2002; El Morjanil et al., 2007; Klinenberg, 2015; Mastrangelo et al., 2007; Patz et al., 2000). Hence, the need for understanding these relationships is important due to the continued changes in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves (Ganguly et al., 2009; Meehl & Tebaldi, 2004; Mishra et al., 2015; Rennie et al., 2019; Stewart & Oke, 2012; Stone, 2007). Specifically, developing local mitigation strategies and adaptation plans are important for reducing casualties and hospitalizations of heatwaves (Ahmed Memon et al., 2008; Bell et al., 2018; Lowe et al., 2011; Rosenfeld et al., 1993; Williams et al., 2019).…”