Spatiotemporal Changes in Frost Indicators in Southeastern Spain (1950–2020): Influence of the East Atlantic Index (EA)

Abstract The southeastern interior of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) is characterized by a complex orography, which determines pronounced altitudinal gradient, significant slopes, and marked valleys with important temperature inversion processes. In this work, to analyze yearly seasonal evolution minimum temperatures, six indicators related temperatures were used: frost days (FD) number below −2°C (TNltm2), 10th percentile (TN10p), absolute (TNn), average (TNm), cold-spell duration index (CSDI). For this, Spearman nonparametric statistical test was used data from total 22 meteorological stations (1950–2020), using daily resolution temperatures. Significant changes during study period revealed, especially between 1960s 1990s. most cases, there has been statistically increase in area, except western (most mountainous) part, where dynamics differed rest southeast peninsula. Nine large global teleconnection patterns analyzed relation area. These are well-characterized indices for Northern Hemisphere, show very high correlation temporal climate pattern east Atlantic (EA) index, Mediterranean region Peninsula, it seems have influence. Significance Statement We variation observed 1950–2020 inland Spain. Temporal analysis “east index” cycles their interrelation relevant prediction agroindustry represents 20% GDP. results decrease an temperature, coastal prelittoral areas. variations less mountainous areas, even increased. This explained change atmospheric midlatitudes Ocean, quantified Spanish winter.