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This study used air temperature data from a representative number of weather stations that record continuous data on average minimum and maximum temperatures, both measured in degrees Celsius (°C), which are operated by the Panamanian Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (IMHPA). Statistical quality control filters were applied to the minimum and maximum temperature records, resulting in 16 weather stations with daily periodicity whose reliable records correspond to the period from 1988 to 2019.
Climate extreme indices were generated using the RClimDex tool for daily maximum and minimum temperature data from weather stations, considering a climate reference matrix that resulted in nine (9) climate extreme indices, all referring to the meteorological parameter of air temperature, where for minimum temperature: TDR (°C), TN10P, TN90P, TNN (°C), TNX (°C); and for maximum temperature: TX10P, TX90P, TXN (°C), TXX (°C), (see details in Table No. 1).
Some indices showed significant trends, identifying a warming pattern, differentiated by an increase in the frequency of warm nights (TN90P) and warm days (TX90P), which in turn shows fewer cool nights (TN10P) and fewer cold days (TX10P). This is consistent with the indicators of annual absolute minimum temperature (TNN, TNX) and annual absolute maximum temperature (TXN, TXX).
The study shows a shift in temperature distribution in Panama, with an increase in the occurrence of warm events and a decrease in cold events. This supports the confirmation that Panama is undergoing a warming process, which is consistent with global climate change patterns.
