Measuring Global Temperatures
Analysis and Interpretation

An explanation of how global temperatures are measured and analysed, for meteorologists, climatologists and hydrologists.

Ian Strangeways (Author)

9780521898485, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 November 2009

252 pages, 76 b/w illus. 2 tables
25.3 x 17.8 x 1.6 cm, 0.65 kg

'… a valuable reference on measuring surface temperatures …' Eos

Temperature is probably the most influential of all climatic variables. Our only direct, quantitative knowledge of global temperatures comes from instruments operated over the last 150 or so years. Yet as crucial and as central as these data are to our understanding of the climate, they are largely taken for granted, even by many of those using them. Measuring Global Temperatures will fill this gap by explaining how global temperatures are measured, how the data are analysed, what the potential errors are, and what needs to be done to improve temperature measurement in the future. The book is of great interest to all meteorologists, climatologists, and hydrologists, and especially those concerned with climate change and global warming. It is written in accessible language with little mathematics, and so will appeal to students and amateur meteorologists with a strong interest in weather and climate.

Preface
1. The balance of energy
2. Thermometry
3. Screens, stands and shelters
4. Measuring land surface air temperatures
5. Measuring sea surface and marine air temperatures
6. Measuring sea temperature profiles
7. Global instrument networks
8. From point measurements to global means
9. Temperature changes since 1850
10. Temperature profiles through the atmosphere
11. Future measurements
Appendix A. The gas laws
Appendix B. Relative humidity and dew point
Appendix C. The electromagnetic spectrum
Appendix D. Satellite measurements of surface temperature
Appendix E. Metadata
Appendix F. The southern oscillation index
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Earth sciences [RB]