ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Diversification of Air Temperature Trends
in Poland (1981-2010)
Agnieszka Ziernicka-Wojtaszek, Joanna Krużel
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Department of Ecology, Climatology and Air Protection, University of Agriculture
Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Submission date: 2016-01-18
Final revision date: 2016-04-11
Acceptance date: 2016-04-12
Publication date: 2016-10-05
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(5):2205-2209
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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to answer questions such as: What is the pace of warming? How diversified is it
in particular months? How is it spatially diversified in Poland in the 1981-2010 30-year period constituting
the new, normal climate? The study was based on materials concerning monthly mean air temperature values
from the above-mentioned period from 53 weather stations belonging to the network of the Institute of
Meteorology and Water Management spread evenly across Poland. It was stated that warming in Poland in
the 1981-2010 period, amounting to 0.33ºC/decade, resulted mainly from a spring and summer temperature
increase of α = 0.05. Temperature increases occurred at the greatest pace in July (0.81) and April (0.73).
The pace is slightly slower in June (0.57ºC), and August (0.48oC/decade). A high trend for February
(0.85ºC/decade) is not statistically significant. Trend values in October and December of 0.2ºC/decade are
negative but statistically insignificant. The regional differentiation of statistically significant temperature
trends in Poland is as follows: in April the greatest increase in temperature is visible in mid-western Poland,
with the lowest values in: Zielona Góra 0.96, Gorzów Wielkopolski 0.88, Bielsko Biała 0.85, and Poznań
0.84ºC/decade. In June, there is a decrease of trends, from the highest values in southwestern Poland to
the lowest in northeastern Poland: Zielona Góra 0.79, Poznań 0.74, Kalisz 0.61, Płock 0.57, and Ostrołęka
0.36ºC/decade. In July there is a decrease of trend values from east to west: Suwałki 1.08, Warsaw 0.97,
Poznań 0.89, Legnica 0.71, Zielona Góra 0.69, and Szczecin 0.57ºC/decade. In July and August a decrease
in trend values can be observed from east to west: Zamość 0.71, Warsaw 0.49, and Szczecin 0.27ºC/decade.