Heat Wave Trends in Southeast Asia: Comparison of Results From Observation and Reanalysis Data

Southeast Asia (SEA), a region climatologically important but limited by data availability, is suffering from serious scarceness of heat wave (HW) research. Using the observational and reanalysis data, we find that in most parts SEA, HWs are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, stronger, affect land areas. The increasing trends HW characteristics defined minimum temperatures larger than those maximum temperatures, alarming situation anomalously warm night. Magnitude yearly hottest event increases faster, duration longest shows significant areas their average counterparts. ERA5 reproduces well daily underestimate temperature. set CHIRTS improves on temperature associated trends, deteriorates This study highlights importance high-quality either or reanalysis, SEA.