Some statistical characteristics of air temperature variations at four Mediterranean stations

Summary In this paper some statistical characteristics of air temperature variations over the Mediterranean are presented. The study is based on temperature data at stations in Marseille (1851–1985), Rome (1851–1985), Athens (1858–1985), and Jerusalem (1864–1985). First the homogeneity of temperature data for each station is examined by means of the short-cut Bartlett test. In another step, the existence of abrupt climatic changes towards warm or cold periods at all stations, with the exception of Athens is pointed out. Some statistical significant persistence of the annual and seasonal time series is also shown. Finally, the temperature fluctuations are examined and discussed in respect to possible causes where particularly the role of the Mediterranean Sea and the topography is considered.With 4 Figures