Abstract
An analysis of variance of the 1000-500 mb thickness field is performed to investigate climatic variability from 1949 to 1975. The thickness field and its variance, averaged over the Northern Hemispheric cap from 25°N latitude to the pole, are obtained and the resulting time series are analyzed for their trends and interrelationships.
Analysis of the mean thickness and measures of transient eddy, standing eddy. and north-south variance shows a statistically significant linear trend in mean thickness and significant quadratic trend in standing eddy and north-south variance measures. No significant trend is found in transient eddy variance.
Correlation analysis of the time series shows a significant relationship between standing and transient eddy valances. No significant correlation between the mean thickness and the eddy terms nor between the north-south variance and the eddy terms is found.
The results of this study do not support the contention that the climate has become significantly more variable, nor do they support a connection between variability and either mean temperature or north-south variation of temperature.
