Homogeneity of 20th century European daily temperature and precipitation series

Abstract Daily European station series (1901–99) of surface air temperature and precipitation from the European Climate Assessment dataset are statistically tested with respect to homogeneity. A two‐step approach is followed. First, four homogeneity tests are applied to evaluate the daily series. The testing variables used are (1) the annual mean of the diurnal temperature range, (2) the annual mean of the absolute day‐to‐day differences of the diurnal temperature range and (3) the wet day count (threshold 1 mm). Second, the results of the different tests are condensed into three classes: ‘useful’, ‘doubtful’ and ‘suspect’. A qualitative interpretation of this classification is given, as well as…