Climate Change Indicators in the North of Jordan

Abstract

This study spotlights the indicators of climate change through analyzing of the direction of change in the annual temperature and rainfall averages in the north of Jordan during the period (1970 – 2009). The researcher used monthly and annual data of rainfall and temperatures averages in the climate stations mainly in (Rass Muneef, Al-Bakura, Irbid and Mafraq). The direction of climate change in region in terms of temperature and rainfall was investigated through using a number of statistical methods; such as simple linear regression, T-test, triple and quintet moving averages, annual accumulative differences as well as using geographic information system and spatial maps to compare between two periods of time. All of the statistical methods that were used in analyzing the climate change in the north of Jordan revealed that there was a noticeable increase in the annual temperature averages during the period (1970-2009), specifically; during the next phase of the study i.e. (1989 – 2009). In addition, the study demonstrated that there was an annual decrease in rainfall in Mafarq and Irbid climate stations, and slight increase in Rass Muneef and Al-Baqura climate stations, however, the increase in the annual rainfall did not have any significant statistical differences.