Temperature features in different agroclimatic zones of Punjab

Temperature features and their variability over the past four decades were analysed for various locations (Ballowal Saunkhari, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda) in different agroclimatic zones of Punjab on annual, seasonal and monthly basis. The trend analysis of temperature over past four decades revealed that maximum temperature has either increased or decreased, whereas, the minimum temperature has increased over past four decades at different locations. As a direct consequence of these changes, the diurnal range of temperature has decreased significantly at Ludhiana and Bathinda on annual basis and at all the locations except Ballowal Saunkhari on seasonal basis. The mean annual maximum temperature at Ballowal Saunkhari, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda was 30.0, 30.3, 29.8, 30.2 and 31.4°C, respectively. The mean annual minimum temperature at Ballowal Saunkhari, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda was 16.2, 15.4, 16.6, 23.0 and 16.9°C, respectively January was observed to be the coldest month with mean minimum temperature of 5.2, 3.6, 5.6, 6.5 and 4.9°C at Ballowal Saunkhari, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda, respectively. May was observed to be hottest month with highest mean maximum temperature of 38.5, 39.0, 38.6, 38.9 and 40.4°C at Ballowal Saunkhari, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda, respectively.