Climatic characteristics of heat wave events (1959–2023) in Jiangxi Province, China

Abstract

This study investigated the temporal and spatial patterns of heat wave (HW) events in Jiangxi, China. Our analysis is based on the observation data, including daily maximum temperature and daily average air relative humidity from 81 meteorological stations from 1959 to 2023. We also examined the impact of HW events on summer electricity consumption by taking the capital city of Jiangxi, Nanchang, as a case study. The results reveal an overall increase in the frequency of HW events over the past 65 years, with a pronounced increase since 1997, particularly in central and southern Jiangxi. The onset of HW events has generally occurred earlier, while their cessation has been delayed across most areas of Jiangxi Province, resulting in extended HW periods. Economic growth in regions like the Jitai Basin, the Ganfu Plain, and the hilly areas of northeastern Jiangxi has been accompanied by more intense and prolonged HW events. In Nanchang City, the summer electricity load increased by approximately 9% on holidays compared to working days and by about 20% on high-temperature days compared to normal conditions. These insights highlight the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of increasing HW occurrences.

Keywords

• Heat wave events
• increase
• longest duration
• intensity
• Jiangxi