Regional differences in rainfall frequency and amount over southwestern China

Abstract

In this paper, the rainfall features in southwestern China are studied using daily rainfall station data. The rainfall features are distinct along the eastern and western edges of the Hengduan Mountains and over the mountains, especially in terms of rainfall frequency. The rainfall amounts and frequencies are much higher along the eastern and western edges than over the mountains, particularly during spring, which is partly contributed by the number and duration of rainfall events. The differences are more obvious in the nocturnal rainfall than in the daytime rainfall. The rainfall differences over the three regions could be affected by the large-scale environment. By analyzing reanalysis data, the large-scale circulations linked to the different rainfall features over southwestern China, and the interactions of these circulations with the topography are also discussed.

Keywords

• Rainfall frequency
• rainfall amount
• southwestern China
• regional differences