Characterisation of spatio-temporal trend in temperature extremes for environmental decision making in Bangladesh

Spatial and sequential variability of extreme temperature events enthral the scientific community owing to their significant impact on global climate change. This study analysed trends in monthly data of temperature extremes of 23 meteorological stations of Bangladesh using Mann-Kendall test. Most of the stations showed significant increasing trend for both temperature extremes on monthly and annual scales. Most of the change points were detected during the last four decades and showed an upward trend. The results obtained from Sen's estimator vouchsafed that magnitudes of trend ranged from 0.007 degrees C to 0.034 degrees C per year and 0.014 degrees C to 0.049 degrees C per year for minimum and maximum temperature, respectively. The upward trend in both extreme temperatures pointed to global warming. The maximum number of significant trends was observed in monsoon and post-monsoon seasons for average maximum temperature. The upward trend in the monsoon and post-monsoon season may cause the drought and late winter in Bangladesh.