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.