Abstract
Daily maximum/minimum temperature and precipitation data from 35 weather stations in Xinjiang during 1961-2010 were examined using kriging spatial analysis, linear tendency estimation, and correlation analysis. Temporal trends and spatial distribution patterns of extreme temperature and precipitation in this area were then analyzed using 12 extreme temperature and 7 extreme precipitation indices. The following results were obtained. 1) Over the past 50 years, extreme cold indices, excepting the monthly maximum temperature minimum value and monthly extreme minimum temperature, showed slight decreasing trends. These indices include the maximum number of consecutive frost days, icy days, cold-nighttime days, and cold-daytime days. 2) Extreme warm events generally showed significant increasing trends (P < 0.01), including the indices of summertime days, warm-nighttime days, warm-daytime days, monthly extreme maximum temperature, and monthly minimum temperature maximum value. 3) The spatial distributions of threshold values of extreme warm and cold events showed notable regional differences. A reducing trend of extreme cold events and an increase in extreme warm events has occurred mainly in northern Xinjiang. 4) For the past 50 years, six extreme precipitation indices, aside from consecutive dry days, showed significant increasing trends in Xinjiang (P < 0.05) and notable differences in spatial distribution. The increase in extreme precipitation events was more rapid at northern than at southern sites. Extreme precipitation intensity was greater in mountainous areas, and precipitation frequency increased in the plain region. 5) Factor analysis revealed good correlations among extreme temperature indices, excepting extreme temperature days.
Highlights
At present, no doubt exists about global warming
1) Over the past 50 years, extreme cold indices, excepting the monthly maximum temperature minimum value and monthly extreme minimum temperature, showed slight decreasing trends. These indices include the maximum number of consecutive frost days, icy days, cold-nighttime days, and cold-daytime days
The increasing mean temperature affects the change in extreme temperature values, but can leads to extreme climatic events, such as heat waves and rainstorms, which show trends of increasing frequency, strength, and intensity [4]
Summary
No doubt exists about global warming. The fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [1] identified a warming trend of 0.13 ̊C/10a over the past 50 years. Xinjiang, located far from the ocean in the center of Eurasia, in the border region of northwestern China, is impacted by the uplifted Tibetan Plateau, westerly wind circulation effects, and high mountain landforms. Large studies have investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of and variation in extreme precipitation in Xinjiang [13] These studies are of great importance for attaining a correct understanding of climatic variation in this region. This study was conducted using internationally recognized extreme climatic indices to examine long-term trends of change in extreme climatic events and their spatial distribution patterns, as well as problems existing in the whole of Xinjiang that have actual reference value for economic development and response to climatic disasters in the future
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
