Science Source

Recent warming trend in the coastal region of Qatar

Analyzes long-term temperature-related phenomena in the eastern portion of the Middle East, focusing on the coastal region of Qatar
Examines extreme temperature indices, as defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices, for Doha, Qatar
Compares these indices with those from neighboring countries
Calculates trends for a 30-year period (1983–2012), using hourly data obtained from the National Climatic Data Center
The results showed spatially consistent warming trends throughout the region
Find that for Doha, 11 of the 12 indices studied showed significant warming trends
Finds, in particular, that the warming trends were represented by an increase in the number of warm days and nights and a decrease in the number of cool nights and days
Finds that the high-temperature extremes during the night have risen at more than twice the rate of their corresponding daytime extremes
Finds the intensity and frequency of hot days have increased, and the minimum temperature indices exhibited a higher rate of warming
States the climatic changes in Doha are consistent with the region-wide heat-up in recent decades across the Middle East
Notes, however, the rapid economic expansion, increase of population since the 1990s, and urban effects in the region are thought to have intensified the rapidly warming climate pattern observed in Doha since the turn of the century