Temperature trends in Fiji: a clear signal of climate change

Abstract

This paper analyses trends in temperature in Fiji, using data from more stations (10) and longer periods (52-78 years) than previous studies. All the stations analysed show a statistically significant trend in both maximum and minimum temperature, with increases ranging from 0.08 to 0.23°C per decade. More recent temperatures show a higher rate of increase, particularly in maximum temperature (0.18 to 0.69°C per decade from 1989 to 2008). This clear signal of climate change is consistent with that found in previous studies of temperatures in Fiji and other Pacific Islands. Trends in extreme values show an even stronger signal of climate change than that for mean temperatures. Our preliminary analysis of daily maxima at 6 stations indicates that for 4 of them (Suva, Labasa, Vunisea and Rotuma) there has been a tripling in the number of days per year with temperature >32°C between 1970 and 2008. The correlations between annual mean maximum (minimum) temperature and year are mostly strong: for about half the stations the correlation coefficient exceeds 60% over 50+ years. Trends do not vary systematically with location of station. At all 7 stations for which both trends are available there is no statistically significant difference between the trends in maximum and minimum temperatures.