Analysis of climatic features and major meteorological disasters over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River Basin in 2021

Abstract

Based on daily observation data in the Three Gorges Region (TGR) of the Yangtze River Basin and global reanalysis data, the authors analyzed the climate characteristics and associated temporal variations in the main meteorological factors in 2021, as well as the year's climatic events and meteorological disasters. The 2021 average temperature was 0.2°C above the 1991–2020 average and the 13th-warmest year since 1961. Seasonally, winter and autumn were both warmer than usual. The annual mean precipitation was 12.8% above normal, and most regions experienced abundant rainfall throughout the year. The seasonal variation in precipitation was significant and the TGR had a wetter-than-normal spring and summer. The number of rainstorm days was higher than normal; the wind speed was above normal; and the relative humidity was higher than normal. In terms of rain acidity, 2021 was tied with 2020 as the lowest since 1999. From mid-September to early October 2021, the TGR experienced exceptional high-temperature weather, which was driven by abnormal activity of mid- and high-latitude atmospheric circulation over the Eurasian continent and the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). In addition, a strong blocking high over the Ural Mountains accompanied by intense mid-latitude westerly winds prevented cyclonic disturbances from extending to the subtropical region. As a result, under the combined effect of the weaker-than-normal cold-air activities and the anomalous WPSH, the TGR experienced extreme high-temperature weather during early autumn 2021.摘要本文分析了2021年长江三峡地区气候特征及主要天气气候事件. 2021年, 三峡地区年平均气温较常年偏高0.2°C, 降水量偏多12.8%, 年暴雨日数偏多, 年平均风速偏大, 年平均相对湿度偏高. 2021年与2020年同为有记录以来酸雨强度最弱年. 汛期区域强降水频发; 春季多低温阴雨; 秋冬寒潮过程降温幅度大影响广. 9月中旬至10月初, 三峡地区遭遇罕见“秋老虎”, 分析表明该时段内异常高温与中高纬度大气环流及西太平洋副热带高压活动异常等因子密切相关.