Time trends in temperature of Bastar plateau agro-climatic zone of Chhattisgarh

Trend analysis of data has been made for understanding likely temperature changes. This study was conducted at Shaheed Gundadhoor College of Agriculture and Research Station, Jagdalpur (Chattisgarh) under NICRA project by analysing 32 years (1980-2011) daily weather data of Jagdalpur station for Bastar region (Chattisgarh) through weather cock software developed by CR1DA, Hyderabad. The analysis showed that number of days recorded under different ranges of maximum temperature is not in increasing pattern in this region. However, number of days recorded under different ranges of winter seasonal minimum temperature values are in significantly increasing pattern showing cooling trend. Number of days with minimum temperature <= 10 degrees C is found increasing in the months of December and January and statistically significant at 1 per cent level. Number of days with <= 7 degrees C showed cooling trend in the months of December, January and February. Analysis of maximum temperature crossing certain threshold values >= 40 degrees C, >= 41 degrees C, >= 42 degrees C, >= 43 degrees C done lead to conclusion that trends shown by linear equations are all non-significant, indicating that number of such days are not on the increase. However, as an exception, maximum temperature crossed value of 40 degrees C in March 1996; in May 2003, there were 23 days which crossed 40 degrees C and June 2003 was comparatively warmer with 12 days crossing 40 degrees C, out of which 6 days crossed 41 degrees C.