Data and code from: A non-parametric study of temperature trends in Fiji over five decades

Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) like Fiji are highly vulnerable to
climate change, yet long term, localized analyses of temperature trends
remain limited. This study investigates annual mean minimum (Tmin ),
maximum (Tmax), and average (Tavg) temperature trends across 23
meteorological stations in Fiji over the period of 1970 to 2023, using the
Mann-Kendall (MK) test, its modified variant (MMK) for accounting for
autocorrelation, and the Sen's Slope (SS) estimator. The results
reveal widespread and statistically significant warming, with 57 % of
stations showing increases in minimum temperature (e.g., Vunisea: 0.33
°C/decade; Laucala: 0.30 °C/decade) and 78 % in maximum temperature (e.g.,
Navua: 0.61 °C/decade; Viwa: 0.55 °C/decade). A majority of the stations
(91 %) recorded rising average temperatures, with the strongest warming
observed in coastal and low-lying regions. Tmax exhibited the most intense
warming at specific locations (e.g., Viwa, Yasawa, Navua), while T min
showed more spatially consistent moderate increases across the country.
Tavg trends fell between these two extremes, reflecting combined effects.
The MMK test confirmed the robustness of the trends, while the SS
estimator showed that Fiji's warming rates exceeded global and
regional benchmarks. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing
adaptation measures in climate-sensitive sectors, prioritizing the highest
warming stations, and providing a critical evidence base for policy
development and improved climate monitoring in SIDSs.