Article Type:
Research Article

A Homogeneous Record (1896–2006) of Daily Weather and Climate at Mohonk Lake, New York

Benjamin I. Cook NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York

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Edward R. Cook Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York

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Kevin J. Anchukaitis Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York

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Paul C. Huth Mohonk Preserve, New Paltz, New York

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John E. Thompson Mohonk Preserve, New Paltz, New York

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Shanan F. Smiley Mohonk Preserve, New Paltz, New York

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Print Publication:
01 Mar 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JAMC2221.1
Page(s):
544–555
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Abstract

Reliable, long-term records of daily weather and climate are relatively rare but are crucial for understanding long-term trends and variability in extreme events and other climate metrics that are not resolvable at the monthly time scale. Here, the distinct features of a continuous, long-term (1896–2006) daily weather record from Mohonk Lake, New York, are highlighted. The site is optimal for daily climate analyses, since it has experienced negligible land-use change, no station moves, and has maintained methodological and instrumental consistency over the entire period of record. Unlike many sites, the site has always used maximum/minimum thermometers rather than shifting to the automated Maximum/Minimum Temperature Sensor. Notable results from the analysis of this record include 1) a warming trend driven largely by trends in maximum temperatures, especially during summer, 2) increasing diurnal temperature range during summer, and 3) a reduction in the number of freeze-days per year with little change in the length of the freeze-free season. These findings deviate from some regional level trends, suggesting there may be value in revisiting selected, consistently monitored, and maintained stations similar to Mohonk for focused analyses of regional climate change.

Corresponding author address: Benjamin I. Cook, Ocean and Climate Physics, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964. Email: bc9z@ldeo.columbia.edu

Abstract

Reliable, long-term records of daily weather and climate are relatively rare but are crucial for understanding long-term trends and variability in extreme events and other climate metrics that are not resolvable at the monthly time scale. Here, the distinct features of a continuous, long-term (1896–2006) daily weather record from Mohonk Lake, New York, are highlighted. The site is optimal for daily climate analyses, since it has experienced negligible land-use change, no station moves, and has maintained methodological and instrumental consistency over the entire period of record. Unlike many sites, the site has always used maximum/minimum thermometers rather than shifting to the automated Maximum/Minimum Temperature Sensor. Notable results from the analysis of this record include 1) a warming trend driven largely by trends in maximum temperatures, especially during summer, 2) increasing diurnal temperature range during summer, and 3) a reduction in the number of freeze-days per year with little change in the length of the freeze-free season. These findings deviate from some regional level trends, suggesting there may be value in revisiting selected, consistently monitored, and maintained stations similar to Mohonk for focused analyses of regional climate change.

Corresponding author address: Benjamin I. Cook, Ocean and Climate Physics, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964. Email: bc9z@ldeo.columbia.edu

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Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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