Antarctic Surface Air Temperature Series: Establishment and Research

The instrumental meteorological observation over the Antarctic has started since the end of last century by early expeditions. The early temperature records,however,are confined mainly to a few coastal regions and.somewhat irregularly spaced in time. So it is difficult to generalize temperature series for the entire continental area. Despite this, they are precious and vital when we consider the response of this remote continent in the global change over the past century.The International Geophysical Year (IGY, 1957 - 1958) marked the great improvement of the observed meteorological data over the Antarctic. Since it is possible to establish a continuus temperature record for the whole continent.The temperature trend in the last 100 years in the Antarctic can be estimated by comparing the temperature record prior to the IGY with the continuous record since IGY. The conclusion is that Antarctic air temperatures appear to be warmer,by at least 1℃,than those prevailing during the turn of last century.

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