Relationship between Altitude and Variation Characteristics of the Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature, and Diurnal Temperature Range in China

Based on daily maximum and minimum temperature data from 740 homogenized surface meteorological stations, the present study investigates the regional characteristics of the temperature trend and the dependence of maximum and minimum temperature and diurnal temperature range changes on the altitude during the period 1963-2012. It is found that the magnitude of minimum temperature increase is larger than that of the maximum temperature increase. The significant warming areas are located at high altitude, all of which increase remarkably in size during the study period. The maximum and minimum temperature and diurnal temperature range trends increase with altitude, except in spring. The correlation coefficients between the maximum temperature trend and altitude are the highest. At the same altitude, the amplitudes of maximum and minimum temperature show inconsistency: They exhibit increasing trends in the 1990s, with significant change at low altitude; they change minimally in the 1980s; and at high altitudes (above 2000 m), the magnitudes of their changes are weak before the 1990s but stronger in the last 10 years of the study period. The seasonal variability of the diurnal temperature range is large over 2000 m, decreasing in summer but increasing in winter. Before the 1990s, there is no significant variation between maximum and minimum temperature and altitude. However, their trends almost all decrease and then increase with altitude in the last 20 years. Additionally, the response to climate in highland areas is more sensitive than that in lowland areas.