Changes in heat waves indices in Romania over the period 1961-2015

Authors:Croitoru, Adina-ElizaPiticar, AdrianCiupertea, Antoniu-FlaviusRosca, Cristina Florina

Source:GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE

Volume:146

DOI:10.1016/j.gloplacha.2016.08.016

Published:2016

Document Type:Article

Abstract:In the last two decades many climate change studies have focused on extreme temperatures as they have a significant impact on environment and society. Among the weather events generated by extreme temperatures, heat waves are some of the most harmful. The main objective of this study was to detect and analyze changes in heat waves in Romania based on daily observation data (maximum and minimum temperature) over the extended summer period (May-Sept) using a set of 10 indices and to explore the spatial patterns of changes. Heat wave data series were derived from daily maximum and minimum temperature data sets recorded in 29 weather stations across Romania over a 55-year period (1961-2015). In this study, the threshold chosen was the 90th percentile calculated based on a 15-day window centered on each calendar day, and for three baseline periods (1961-1990, 1971-2000, and 1981-2010). Two heat wave definitions were considered: at least three consecutive days when maximum temperature exceeds 90th percentile, and at least three consecutive days when minimum temperature exceeds 90th percentile. For each of them, five variables were calculated: amplitude, magnitude, number of events, duration, and frequency. Finally, 10 indices resulted for further analysis. The main results are: most of the indices have statistically significant increasing trends; only one index for one weather station indicated statistically significant decreasing trend; the changes are more intense in case of heat waves detected based on maximum temperature compared to those obtained for heat waves identified based on minimum temperature; western and central regions of Romania are the most exposed to increasing heat waves. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Author Information

Corresponding Author:

Reprint Address:Piticar, A (corresponding author), Univ Babes Bolyai, Fac Geog, 5-7 Clinicilor St, Cluj Napoca 400006, Romania.

Addresses:[Croitoru, Adina-Eliza] Univ Babes Bolyai, Fac Geog, Dept Phys & Tech Geog, 5-7 Clinicilor St, Cluj Napoca 400006, Romania. [Piticar, Adrian; Ciupertea, Antoniu-Flavius; Rosca, Cristina Florina] Univ Babes Bolyai, Fac Geog, 5-7 Clinicilor St, Cluj Napoca 400006, Romania.

E-mail Addresses:croitoru@geografie.ubbcluj.ro; adiy58@yahoo.com; antonio3088@yahoo.com; cristina_rosca88@yahoo.com

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