Abstract:

The weekend effect of temperature indices,including diurnal temperature range,mean temperature,minimum temperature and maximum temperature,was studied in the Yangtze River Delta region using daily surface weather observation data for four provincial capital cities from 1996～2010.The differences between temperature indices during three festivals (May Day,National Day and Spring Festival) and that during 7 days pre and post the festivals were also analyzed.Results showed that temperature variation appeared obvious weekend effect,and the phenomenon was most significant for diurnal temperature range and maximum temperature.Weekend effects differed from distinct seasons.Temperature indices were larger on weekends than that in normal working days in summer,while smaller on weekends than that in normal working days in other three seasons.The weekend effect in spring was most obvious.Holiday effect existed both in May Day,National Day and Spring Festival.Temperature indices were smaller during National Day and Spring Festival than that during 7days pre and post the festivals,while larger during May Day than that during 7 days pre and post the festival.Holiday effect was more significant than weekend effect due to the longer periods during the three festivals.The artificial division of human economic activities was the main cause for holiday effect and weekend effect.