Long term trends in stratospheric temperature using NCEP/NCAR data

The stratospheric temperature trend plays an important role in distinguishing between the climate systems responses to natural and human induced changes. A linear trend of monthly mean temperature from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis dataset for both Hemispheres with 2.5° step in latitude and longitude for the period 1979-2011, were calculated on this paper. Four different stratospheric heights: 10 hPa, 30 hPa, 50 hPa, and 70 hPa were analyzed. The observed trend pattern changes with height as expected. The area of negative trends increases when we go up in the stratosphere. Lower and middle stratosphere shows positive trends, in a section of the latitudinal band between 50° S and 60° S. As we go down the stratosphere these positive trends are smoother. At 10 hPa all trends are negative. In Southern Hemisphere at 30 hPa significant negative trends at low middle latitudes were observed. These results were compared with others, obtained by models and observations.