Evolution of record-breaking high and low monthly mean temperatures

We examine the ratio of record-breaking highs to record-breaking lows with respect to extent of time-series for monthly mean temperatures within the continental United States (1900-2006) and ask the following question. How are record-breaking high and low surface temperatures in the United States affected by time period? We find that the ratio of record-breaking highs to lows in 2006 increases as the time-series extend further into the past. For example: in 2006, the ratio of record-breaking highs to record-breaking lows is ≈ 13 : 1 with 1950 as the first year and ≈ 25 : 1 with 1900 as the first year; both ratios are an order of magnitude greater than 3-σ for stationary simulations. We also find record-breaking events are more sensitive to trends in time-series of monthly averages than time-series of corresponding daily values. When we consider the ratio as it evolves with respect to a fixed start year, we find it is strongly correlated with the ensemble mean. Correlation coefficients are 0.76 and 0.82 for 1900-2006 and 1950-2006 respectively; 3-σ = 0.3 for pairs of uncorrelated stationary time-series. We find similar values for globally distributed time-series: 0.87 and 0.92 for 1900-2006 and 1950-2006 respectively. However, the ratios evolve differently: global ratios increase throughout (1920-2006) while continental United States ratios decrease from about 1940 to 1970. (Based on Anderson and Kostinski (2011), Evolution and distribution of record-breaking high and low monthly mean temperatures. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. doi: 10.1175/JAMC-D-10-05025.1)