A statistical study of climate variability in North Carolina

With global climate change scenarios in the background, it is increasingly important to understand regional and local-scale climate variations that have direct impacts on the local economy and decision making process. Using data from National Weather Service's Cooperative Observer Network, local climate variations were investigated over the period 1949-1998. Using standard statistical procedures, time series were individually analyzed for linear changes in average 3-month and 10-year precipitation, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), climate trends from 76 stations across North Carolina that had a complete record for 50 years were mapped for spatial analysis. Statistical results were also analyzed to examine seasonal dependences. Results indicate that the variations are not uniform across the state. Urban and rural trends are different and geography plays and important role.