Inertance of surface temperature variations

Abstract

The index of inertance of surface temperature variations is proposed which supposedly reflects the damping effect of the ocean on the variations in atmospheric thermal conditions over the land. It is demonstrated that the climate variability and climate change are related to the index of inertance. Air temperature rose most intensively in the years of weak stabilizing effect of the ocean which restrains the climate warming. The general trend of the inertance weakening on the land in the second half of the 20th century led to the additional and more rapid warming and to the increase in climate extremity on the continents.