Factors Affecting the Spatiotemporal Variation of Precipitation in the Songhua River Basin of China

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal variation of annual precipitation and extreme precipitation within the Songhua River Basin (SRB). It utilized precipitation data collected from 60 meteorological stations within the SRB during the period 1968–2019. Employing Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, it decomposed spatiotemporal characteristics of annual precipitation in the SRB. Through Pearson correlation analysis, application of the cross-wavelet transform, and wavelet coherence analysis, the current study explored the correlation between geographical factors, local air temperature, circulation factors, and annual and extreme precipitation. The results indicated an increasing trend for annual precipitation and for most indices of extreme precipitation within the SRB, apart from the consecutive dry days (CDD). Spatially, a general pattern of “more in the east and less in the west” was observed. Annual precipitation types in the basin were resolved into two modes with the first mode showing a general tendency of more (or less) precipitation over the entire basin, while the second mode exhibited less (or more) precipitation in the western areas and more (or less) in the eastern areas. Longitude, latitude, and altitude significantly impacted annual precipitation and extreme precipitation. Local air temperature notably affected the consecutive wet days (CWD). The West Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) exerts a strong influence on the annual precipitation and extreme precipitation within the basin.