Trends and changes of mean, maximum, minimum temperature and precipitation series in Northern Cyprus

Abstract

Abstract Seasonal temperature and precipitation series of Girne and Lefkoşa stations in Northern Cyprus were investigated with respect to the long-term trends and changes. Results of the study have led to the following main conclusions: (1) Statistically significant increasing (warming) trends were found in mean temperatures of Girne, while mean temperatures of Lefkoşa were statistically random against to any trend in all seasons; (2) Statistically significant and the strongest warming trend showed up mainly in minimum temperatures at both stations in all seasons; (3) Increasing trends in maximum temperatures were not as strong as in mean temperatures at Girne and in minimum temperatures of both stations; (4) Warmer than long-term average temperature conditions in the series was evident especially after the year 1990; (5) However, precipitation series did not show any significant trend, being characterized mainly by wetter or drier than long-term average conditions.