Spatiotemporal characteristics of extreme precipitation and temperature: a case study in Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

Spatiotemporal characteristics of extreme precipitation and temperature in Yunnan Province, China, were analyzed by using observed daily data at 28 meteorological stations from 1958–2013 in this study. Nine extreme precipitation indices and 6 extreme temperature indices were adopted, and the tendency of those indices was investigated by using Mann–Kendal test method. In order to distinguish the spatial characteristics, the region was divided into 5 regions according to climate and topography, then the characteristics of each region were compared each other. The results indicate that changes of extreme temperature are more sensitive and significant than those of precipitation. The contribution of extreme precipitation to total precipitation presented a significant upward trend, but the annual total wet-day precipitation (PRCPTOT) did not show significant changes. Both maximum and minimum temperature showed significant increasing tendency while there was not obvious changes for precipitation. The spatial features of extreme precipitation and temperature are similar. It was noted that extreme precipitation and temperature events occurred more frequently in central region where the risk of extreme climatic events was greater than other areas.