DIURNAL TEMPERATURE RANGE (DTR) ASSESSMENT IN MAJOR CITIES OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Present study was conducted for the assessment of diurnal temperature range (DTR) in major cities of Punjab. Diurnal temperature range is the difference between the Monthly Maximum and Minimum temperature. This study provides more information than mean temperature. The purpose of the study was to calculate the spatial distribution of minimum and maximum temperature over Punjab and to assess the Diurnal Temperature range for annual and seasonal variation over the period of last 6 years (2010 to 2015). The first step in this research was to set up a new database of mean yearly maximum and minimum temperature from 6 stations of Punjab (Pakistan) which was Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Jhelum, Faisalabad and Lahore. For this, the data was collected by secondary data collection method. The secondary data of all the indicators was obtained from Bureau of statistics and Metrological department of Pakistan. The data of three indicators which are maximum temperature, minimum temperature and population of the selected cities of Punjab was taken for the same period of time. Different tools such as correlation, regression, scatter diagram and interpolation were used to tabulate the data. The analysis revealed that the selected 6 cities of Punjab showed decrease in diurnal temperature range in recent six years. It is found that when mean temperature is increased then the diurnal temperature range is decreased. In future it is compulsory to take positive steps for the plantation. Congested buildings can boost up minimum temperature more rapid then maximum temperature if there is any green belt or park present in it can help to control the extreme temperature.