Statistical Characterization of Maximum Temperature of Kerala, India

Temperature is an essential climate variable that significantly contributes to the characterization of Earth’s climate. The rise of temperature intensity is a major contribution that has resulted from natural as well as anthropogenic activities over the past few decades. India habitats an extraordinary variety of climatic regions making generalizations challenging. The study focuses on the statistical characteristics of daily maximum temperature of 8 stations namely, Kozhikode, Kannur, Alappuzha, Kochi (NAS), Punalur, Kottayam, Trivandrum city and Trivandrum Airport belonging to the state of Kerala, India. In order to explore the spatial and temporal behaviour of maximum temperature in Kerala, the variability of daily maximum temperature data from 1981 to 2020 (40 years) is analysed by looking at trend, stationarity, homogeneity, noise, and randomness. It was found that all the stations have an increasing stochastic trend with no noise and are heterogeneous and non-random in nature. The best fit probability distribution that suits the daily maximum temperature data for all the 8 stations were identified. The study aims to provide a knowledge base on the trend, pattern and variability of daily maximum temperatures of Kerala, India for better management of health, agriculture, irrigation, energy and ecology. Additionally, it will assist the state's policy makers and catastrophe management in reducing upcoming extreme temperature events.