Anomalies and fluctuations of near-surface air temperature at Tianhuangping (Zhejiang), China, produced by the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century under cloudy skies

TL;DR

This study investigates how near-surface air temperature at multiple heights responded to the longest 21st-century total solar eclipse under cloudy conditions in China, revealing anomalies and turbulence effects.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of temperature fluctuations and turbulence during the eclipse under cloudy skies, expanding understanding of atmospheric responses in such conditions.

Findings

Temperature showed negative anomalies during the eclipse

Fluctuations and turbulence were analyzed through variance and residuals

Temperature perturbations decreased and recovered steadily

Abstract

We analyze the near-surface air temperature response, at three different heights over the ground, recorded by the Williams College expedition under meteorological conditions characterized by cloudy skies during the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century on 22 July 2009, at Tianhuangping (Zhejiang), China. An analysis of the relationship between solar radiation and air temperature was made by applying a study previously published in which we evaluated the cloudiness contribution in estimating the impact on global solar radiation throughout this phenomenon at that site. The analysis of this response includes linear and absolute negative anomalies as well as fluctuations, which was undertaken through a statistical study to get information on the convection activity produced by the latter. The fluctuations generated by turbulence were studied by analyzing variance and residuals. The results, indicating a steady decrease and recovery of both perturbations, were consistent with those published by other studies for this total solar eclipse.