Quantitative assessment of summer air-temperature extremes in the high-altitude mountainous region of the Romanian Carpathians during the period 1990-2020

Abstract

Based on the daily summertime air temperature observations available during the 1990-2020 period, this study makes a quantitative analysis of the annual and monthly variations of daily maximum air temperatures and of some relevant heat indices as defined by the ETCCDI (indices of extremes and climate change) set, at eight meteorological stations (Bâlea Lac, Ceahlau Toaca, Iezer, Lacau?i, Parâng, Omu Mnt. and Vladeasa 1800) located above 1,500 m in the Romanian Carpathians. During the reference period, the maximum air-temperatures exceed 20°C at all eight meteorological stations analyzed, with altitude and local topography playing a very important role. In general, air temperatures in Romania are continuously increasing, the warming signal being given by various factors, as was also observed at the analyzed meteorological stations, with higher air- temperatures at the Parâng meteorological station and lower air-temperatures on the Omu Mount. The results of this study reveal the followings: 1) the warming process is ongoing and intensifying in the mountainous area; 2) high air temperature values were recorded at all analyzed stations, especially at Parâng station, exceeding 25°C (in 50 days of the reference period). The highest values of the analyzed temperature indices in the entire period 1990-2020 were recorded at Parâng mountain meteorological station, while the lowest ones were recorded on the Omu Mount. The year 2012 was the warmest year of the analyzed period.