Reconstruction of the Temperature Index Series of China in 1368–1911 based on REACHES database

This study reports the methodology for reconstructing anomalous temperature index series of China in 1368–1911 based on the REACHES database which digitizes the Chinese records quoted in the Compendium of Meteorological Records of China in the Last 3000 Years. The reconstruction adopts an ordinal scale index approach ranging from −2 (very cold) to 1 (warm). Based on the grading criteria, a total of 12,871 records were retrieved through a standard coding system established at REACHES. Sensitivity experiments were performed to test robustness of the index system and a reasonability test was conducted to develop an appropriate method for deriving areal mean temperature index. The reconstructed series were validated through comparison with early instrumental data from Global Historical Climatology Network which shows good correlations and reliability of the REACHES reconstructed index data. Annual and semi-annual (winter and summer) temperature index data series were released for the whole domain as well as the 3- and 15-subregion geographical domains in China.