How to analyze the weather pattern data?

[#1]

I wanted to know whether due to climate change, the precipitation in the last 16 years (2004 to 2019) had changed from the previous 15 years (1989 to 2003). Our hypothesis is that the weather patterns has changed and precipitation in the last 16 years had increased.

Here is the annual average data for different years.

Year	Precipitation (mm)
1989	384
1990	446
1991	471
1992	491
1993	507
1994	494
1995	356
1996	515
1997	438
1998	651
1999	487
2000	358
2001	353
2002	365
2003	396
2004	427
2005	551
2006	390
2007	298
2008	554
2009	451
2010	428
2011	571
2012	448
2013	818
2014	514
2015	654
2016	498
2017	429
2018	411
2019	529

I run this data using JMP after representing previous 15 years by X and last 16 years by Y. see below.

I performed permutation test. See below:

Results show that 91 per cent time I could say that the precipitation increased in the last 16 years (2004 to 2020) than previous 15 years (1989 to 2003).

My questions are as follows:

• Is the analysis correct?
• Should permutation performed with or without replacement?
• Is there any other method, which can give us better results for this kind of analysis for example “the linear trend model?”

Other questions:

When a frequency data ranges from 0 to 30 and there are so many zeros in data, should the data be transformed?  Like taking the square root of each number, taking logarithm of each number (+.5) before fitting a “regression test” or “permutation test”? 

[#2]

Hi,

I don't know anything much about permutation analysis so I can't answer those questions.

But there are other things you could do.

Start with simple plots of the data...

...there does not appear to be a big change between these periods.

I have attached a jmp data table with your data including scripts for this plot and Fit Y by X analysis (again, no evidence for a difference between these periods).

I also used Lasso in Generalized Regression for change points analysis (JMP Pro only). This suggested a change point between 2010-2011. @clay_barker  has shown how to do this kind of thing before: https://community.jmp.com/t5/JMP-Blog/Did-LeBron-James-step-up-his-game-in-the-playoffs/ba-p/30609

I hope this helps.

Phil