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Homogeneous temperature series for thermal characterization and detection of trends in the Province of Santa Elena, Ecuador

Abstract:

The generation of quality climatic series is the first step in the analysis of climate characteristics and behaviour in any region of the world. This article approaches the construction of homogeneous average temperature series for the period 1982–2011, for the study of spatial distribution and temporal evolution in the Province of Santa Elena, in the most western point of continental Ecuador in South America. Despite the low variability registered in the temperatures of the Province, these were higher and more homogeneous in the inland region than on the coast and almost 3 °C higher in the trimesters of the rainy season December–January–February (DJF) and March–April–May (MAM) than in the trimesters of the dry season June–July–August (JJA) and September–October–November (SON). Trend analysis detected positive increasing rates for the temperature of the province, with values three times higher during DJF and MAM in comparison with SON and annual average trend of 0.33 °C decade−1 in the region. The construction of homogeneous average temperature series in the Province of Santa Elena has been an important step towards the spatial-temporal characterization of this peculiar climatic zone. These series can also be employed as base scenarios for the development of climate change studies in the region.