Dorota Matuszko

Abstract

The work described in this paper aimed at determining the relationship between air temperature, cloudiness and precipitation, based on the Cracow meteorological records. Meteorological data from the period 1901-2000 were used. The research was based on mean monthly temperature totals; the number of days with maximum temperatures above 10°C and above 25°C; annual and daily precipitation as well as the cloud cover and cloud type in three climatic observation terms. The mean yearly air temperature was found to show steady growth, induced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Climatic warming in Cracow probably has resulted in the more frequent appearance of convective clouds, as well as intense showers, thunderstorms and hailstorms. On the other hand, the frequency of Stratus clouds and fog has been diminished which probably contributed to a reduction in the number of days with light precipitation. No overall trend has been detected in the long-term series for total annual precipitation, as periods of high and low precipitation balanced each other.

Keywords: cloudiness, precipitation, air temperature, Cracow, Poland

Dorota Matuszko [d.matuszko@uj.edu.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University Grodzka 64, 31-044 Kraków, Poland
Robert Twardosz [r.twardosz@uj.edu.pl], Department of Climatology, Institute of Geography of the Jagellonian University ul. Grodzka 64, 31-044 Kraków, Poland
Katarzyna Piotrowicz [k.piotrowicz@iphils.uj.edu.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University Grodzka 64, 31-044 Kraków, Poland