TRENDS IN THE DIURNAL TEMPERATURE-RANGE OVER AUSTRALIA SINCE 1951

Trends in maximum and minimum temperatures over Australia from 1951 to 1992 have been examined using data adjusted for inhomogeneities. The results, showing a decrease in the diurnal temperature range (DTR) ove r large areas of the Australian continent, confirm earlier findings an d are consistent with trends over much of the global landmass. The tre nds are largely a consequence of the minimum temperatures increasing m ore than the maximum temperatures. Decreases in the DTR were strongest over the northeastern interior of the continent and over a small area of the southwest.