Quantile Regression of Springtime Equivalent Potential Temperature across the Gulf Coast Region from 1980 to 2023

This paper investigates the springtime (March, April, and May) spatial and temporal characteristics of equivalent potential temperature (EPT) within the Gulf Coast Region from 1981 to 2023. North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) and European Reanalysis Fifth Generation (ECWF-ERA5) products are used to describe how EPT has changed over time and space for the region. Daily temperature, specific humidity, and geopotential heights are collected at three atmospheric pressure levels (850, 700, and 500 hPa) of each reanalysis product to evaluate the spatial-temporal characteristics of the Gulf Coast. Quantile regression is applied to interpret the significance of change for EPT at five different percentiles (5%, 25%,50%, 75% and 95%) of the two reanalysis products through the transitional spring season. The results from this paper may interest short and long-term forecasting of EPT and its possible influences on synoptic-scale convective weather and climate within the Gulf Coast region.