26 Nov 2007
26 Nov 2007
Anti-persistence in the global temperature anomaly field
L. M. V. Carvalho1,3, A. A. Tsonis2, C. Jones3, H. R. Rocha1, and P. S. Polito4
L. M. V. Carvalho et al.
L. M. V. Carvalho1,3, A. A. Tsonis2, C. Jones3, H. R. Rocha1, and P. S. Polito4
- 1Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences Group, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
- 3Institute for Computational Earth System Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
- 4Dept. of Physical Oceanography, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 1Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences Group, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
- 3Institute for Computational Earth System Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
- 4Dept. of Physical Oceanography, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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In this study, low-frequency variations in temperature anomaly are investigated by mapping temperature anomaly records onto random walks. We show evidence that global overturns in trends of temperature anomalies occur on decadal time-scales as part of the natural variability of the climate system. Paleoclimatic summer records in Europe and New-Zealand provide further support for these findings as they indicate that anti-persistence of temperature anomalies on decadal time-scale have occurred in the last 226 yrs. Atmospheric processes in the subtropics and mid-latitudes of the SH and interactions with the Southern Oceans seem to play an important role to moderate global variations of temperature on decadal time-scales.