jahresweite

Jahresweite is a German term that can be translated as "year-wide extent" or "annual range." It is not a standardized term across all scientific disciplines, and its precise meaning depends on context. In many German-language climatology and geography texts, jahresweite refers to the extent of variation of a variable within a calendar year — essentially the annual range between its high and low values over the year.

For temperature, jahresweite might denote the difference between the highest and lowest mean monthly temperatures observed in the year. For precipitation, it could describe the spread in monthly totals or the timing of peak rainfall within the year, highlighting intra-annual variability and seasonality. In studies of daylight, solar radiation, or ecological activity, jahresweite can describe the span of activity levels or daylight duration across seasons, again emphasizing the year-long distribution rather than long-term trends.

Etymology and status: The term is a compound of Jahr (year) and Weite (extent, distance). It is not universally recognized as a standard technical term; usage is regional and varies by author. Because of its variability, when encountering jahresweite in literature, readers should check the precise definition provided by the author.

See also: seasonal cycle, annual range, intra-annual variability.