Compare a Value with a Climate Reference - Practice 1

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A climate normal is a reference statistic for a stated period; standard normals commonly use 30 years. Subtract the reference from the observed value to get an anomaly. An anomaly is not automatically an error. Fictional values below are annual means.

Worked example

Annual mean 14 C minus a 30-year reference mean 12 C gives an anomaly of +2 C.

Question 1 Fictional station Alder: annual mean 7 C and 30-year reference 10 C. What is the anomaly in C (observed minus reference)? Answer

Question 2 Fictional station Birch: annual mean 9 C and 30-year reference 11 C. What is the anomaly in C (observed minus reference)? Answer

Question 3 Fictional station Cedar: annual mean 11 C and 30-year reference 12 C. What is the anomaly in C (observed minus reference)? Answer

Question 4 Fictional station Dune: annual mean 13 C and 30-year reference 13 C. What is the anomaly in C (observed minus reference)? Answer

Question 5 Fictional station Elm: annual mean 15 C and 30-year reference 14 C. What is the anomaly in C (observed minus reference)? Answer