Physical processes leading to extreme day-to-day temperature change – Part 1: Present-day climate

Hamal, Kalpana; Pfahl, Stephan

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-879-2025

Articles | Volume 6, issue 3

https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-879-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-879-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 6, issue 3

Research article

|

01 Sep 2025

Research article |

| 01 Sep 2025

Physical processes leading to extreme day-to-day temperature change – Part 1: Present-day climate

Kalpana Hamal and Stephan Pfahl

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-879-2025-supplement

Data sets

Complete ERA5 from 1940: Fifth generation of ECMWF atmospheric reanalyses of the global climate H. Hersbach et al. https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.143582cf

HadGHCND - gridded daily temperature dataset (daily maximum and minimum temperatures) Met Office Hadley Centre http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadghcnd/download.html

Land and Ocean Temperature Record - gridded monthly and annual temperature dataset (land and ocean surface temperatures) Berkeley Earth https://berkeleyearth.org/data

Short summary

This study investigates the global drivers of sudden temperature changes from one day to the next using observational data and trajectory analysis. In extratropical regions, these shifts are mainly driven by air mass movements linked to circulation patterns. In tropical areas, local factors like cloud cover play a key role. Understanding these mechanisms improves predictions of extreme-temperature events, aiding in better preparation and mitigation strategies.