Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in persistent and non-persistent flood season precipitation over South China during 1961–2010

  • Articles
  • Published:
Acta Meteorologica Sinica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The characteristics and possible causes of changes in persistent precipitation (PP) and non-persistent precipitation (NPP) over South China during flood season are investigated using daily precipitation data from 63 stations in South China and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data from 1961 to 2010. This investigation is performed using the Kendall’s tau linear trend analysis, correlation analysis, abrupt climate change analysis, wavelet analysis, and composite analysis techniques. The results indicate that PP dominates total precipitation over South China throughout the year. The amounts of PP and NPP during flood season vary primarily on a 2-5-yr oscillation. This oscillation is more prominent during the early flood season (EFS; April-June). NPP has increased significantly over the past 50 years while PP has increased slightly during the whole flood season. These trends are mainly due to a significant increase in NPP during the EFS and a weak increase in PP during the late flood season (LFS; July-September). The contribution of EFS NPP to total flood season precipitation has increased significantly while the contribution of EFS PP has declined. The relative contributions of both types of precipitation during LFS have not changed significantly. The increase in EFS NPP over South China is likely related to the combined effects of a stronger supply of cold air from the north and a weaker supply of warm, moist air from the south. The increase in NPP amount may also be partially attributable to a reduction in the stability of the atmosphere over South China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilar, E., A. A. Barry, M. Brunet, et al., 2009: Changes in temperature and precipitation extremes in western central Africa, Guinea Conakry, and Zimbabwe, 1955-2006. J. Geophys Res., 114(D2), doi: 10.1029/2008JD011010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, L. V., X. Zhang, T. C. Peterson, et al., 2006: Global observed changes in daily climate extremes of temperature and precipitation. J. Geophys. Res., 111(D5), doi: 10.1029/2005JD006290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai, A. J., P. M. Zhai, and X. D. Liu, 2007: Climatology and trends of wet spells in China. Theor. Appl. Climatol., 88, 139–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, G. T. J., 2004: Research on the phenomena of Meiyu during the past quarter century: An overview. East Asian Monsoon. World Scientific, 560 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, Liu Junjie, Sun Ying, et al., 2007: A study of the synoptic-climatology of the Meiyu system in East Asia. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 31(6), 1082–1101. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu Congbin and Wang Qiang, 1992: The definition and detection of the abrupt climatic change. Chinese J. Atmos Sci., 16(4), 482–492. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, D. Q., J. Zhu, and X. Y. Kuang, 2011: Decadal variation of different durations of continuous Meiyu precipitation and the possible cause. Chinese Sci. Bull., 56(4-5), 424–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC, 2007: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Group I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Core Writing Team, Pachauri, R. K., and A. Reisinger, Eds., IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 104 pp.

  • Karl, T. R., and D. R. Easterling, 1999: Climate extremes: Selected review and future research directions. Climatic Change, 42, 309–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R. W., and B. G. Brown, 1992: Extreme events in a changing climate: Variability is more important than averages. Climatic Change, 21, 289–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Jiangnan, Wang Anyu, Meng Weiguang, et al., 2002: The climatological characteristics of precipitation of the presummer rainy reason and second rainy season in Guangdong Province. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni, 41(3), 91–94. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu Hong, He Hui, and Chen Sirong, 2010: Spatiotemporal variation of extreme precipitation frequency in summer over South China in 1961-2008. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 29(6), 1213–1220. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Vide, J., and L. Gomez, 1999: Regionalization of Peninsular Spain based on the length of dry spells. Int. J. Climatol., 19, 537–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Min Shen and Qian Yongfu, 2008: Trends in all kinds of precipitation events in China over the past 40 years. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni, 47(3), 105–111. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian Weihong, Fu Jiaolan, Zhang Weiwei, et al., 2007: Changes in mean climate and extreme climate in China during the last 40 years. Adv. Earth Sci., 22(7), 673–684. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren, F. M., G. X. Wu, W. J. Dong, et al., 2006: Changes in tropical cyclone precipitation over China. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33(20), doi: 10.1029/2006GL027951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren Guoyu, Feng Guolin, and Yan Zhongwei, 2010: Progresses in observation studies of climate extremes and changes in mainland China. Climatic Environ. Res., 15(4), 337–353. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, P. K., 1968: Estimates of the regression coefficient based on Kendall’s tau. J. Am. Sat. Assoc., 63(324), 1379–1389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolika, K., and P. Maheras, 2005: Spatial and temporal characteristics of wet spells in Greece. Theor. Appl. Climatol., 81, 71–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torrence, C., and G. P. Compo, 1998: A practical guide to wavelet analysis. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 79, 61–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X. L., and V. R. Swail, 2001: Changes of extreme wave heights in Northern Hemisphere oceans and related atmospheric circulation regimes. J. Climate, 14(10), 2204–2221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Xiaoling and Zhai Panmao, 2008: Changes in China’s precipitation in various categories during 1957-2004. J. Trop. Meteor., 24(5), 459–466. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Hongyu, Du Yaodong, and Qin Peng, 2011: Climate characteristics and variation of rainstorm in South China. Meteor. Mon., 37(l0), 1262–1269. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Shangsen, Huang Chengchang, and Xue Huixian, 1990: On interannual variation of precipitation during the second rainy season in South China. J. Trop. Meteor., 6(4), 348–356. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan Zhongwei and Yang Chi, 2000: Geographic patterns of extreme climate changes in China during 1951-1997. Climatic Environ. Res., 5(3), 267–272. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S., K. M. Lau, and K. M. Kim, 2002: Variations of the East Asian jet stream and Asian-Pacific-American winter climate anomalies. J. Climate, 15, 306–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao Xiuping and Yu Yubin, 2005: Activity of dry cold air and its impacts on Meiyu rain during the 2003 Meiyu period. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 29(6), 973–985. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, R. C., B. Wang, and T. J. Zhou, 2004: Tropospheric cooling and summer monsoon weakening trend over East Asia. Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L22212, doi: 10.1029/2004GL021270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, and T. J. Zhou, 2007: Seasonality and threedimensional structure of interdecadal change in the East Asian monsoon. J. Climate, 20, 5344–5355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhai, P. M., A. J. Sun, F. M. Ren, et al., 1999: Changes of climate extremes in China. Climatic Change, 42, 203–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, X. B. Zhang, H. Wan, et al., 2005: Trends in total precipitation and frequency of daily precipitation extremes over China. J. Climate, 18, 1096–1108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, Wang Cuicui, and Li Wei, 2007: A review on study of change in precipitation extremes. Adv. Climate Change Res., 3(3), 144–148. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. B., L. A. Vincent, W. D. Hogg, et al., 2000: Temperature and precipitation trends in Canada during the 20th century. Atmos.-Ocean, 38(3), 395–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Junxiang, Liu Xulong, and Gong Qinghua, 2012: Tropical cyclones landing on the coastal areas of South China and related catastrophes over the past 60 years. Tropical Geography, 32(4), 357–363. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Bin, Liang Jianyin, Lin Ailan, et al., 2006: Frontal rain and summer monsoon rain during pre-rainy season in South China. Part I: Determination of the division dates. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 30(6), 1207–1216. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, T. J., L. X. Zhang, and H. M. Li, 2008: Changes in global land monsoon area and total rainfall accumulation over the last half century. Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L16707, doi: 10.1029/2008GL034881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, D. Y. Gong, J. Li, et al., 2009: Detecting and understanding the multi-decadal variability of the East Asian summer monsoon—Recent progress and state of affairs. Meteor. Z., 18(4), 455–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hainan Climate Center, Haikou, 570203, China

    Hui Wu  (吴 慧)

  2. State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    Hui Wu  (吴 慧) & Panmao Zhai  (翟盘茂)

Authors
  1. Hui Wu  (吴 慧)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Panmao Zhai  (翟盘茂)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Panmao Zhai  (翟盘茂).

Additional information

Supported by the National (Key) Basic Research and Development (973) Program of China (2012CB417205) and National Science and Technology Support Program of China (2013BAK05B03).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, H., Zhai, P. Changes in persistent and non-persistent flood season precipitation over South China during 1961–2010. Acta Meteorol Sin 27, 788–798 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-013-0613-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-013-0613-x

Key words

Search

Navigation