Advances in Earth Science

   

Characteristics of Compound Heatwaves and Precipitation Extremes of Warming Season in China in Past 46 Years

Wang Ruoji, Huang Danqing   

  1. (School of Atmospheric Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)
  • About author:First author: WANG Ruoji, research area includes weather and climate extremes. E-mail: wrj@smail.nju.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2022YFF0801601).

Wang Ruoji, Huang Danqing. Characteristics of Compound Heatwaves and Precipitation Extremes of Warming Season in China in Past 46 Years[J]. Advances in Earth Science, DOI: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2025.080.

Abstract:Anthropogenic activities and global warming have amplified the likelihood of both heatwave and precipitation extremes. Particularly, rather than the individual extreme events, the compound heatwaves and precipitation extremes, pose severe threats to public health, socio-economics, and ecosystems. Based on the daily temperature and precipitation data from ERA5 reanalysis in the period of 1979 to 2024, this study introduced a classification of dry and moist heatwaves to analyze the frequency, magnitude, and temporal evolution of compound heatwave and precipitation extremes over China in the warm season (from May to September). The results reveal a rapid increase in the occurrence and spatial extent of such events nationwide, with an accelerated trend observed after 2000. The heatwave magnitude of temperature and precipitation extreme magnitude were found to be significantly higher than that of individual extremes, with the enhanced extremeness after 2000 than before. For comparison, the moist heatwave compound extremes were found to be concentrated in frequent occurrence regions such as the Hexi Corridor and the Sichuan Basin, while the dry heatwave compound extremes showed a nearly uniform distribution across the country. Over the past 46 years, a persistent increase has been observed in the proportion of moist heatwave-compound events. Moreover, the heatwave magnitude of temperature in moist heatwave compound extremes was demonstrated to be stronger than that in dry heatwave compound extremes, suggesting a higher risk of damage compared to individual extremes or dry heatwave compound extremes. This potential risk is projected to further escalate with ongoing global warming, which requires sustained attention and monitoring.
No related articles found!
Viewed
Full text


Abstract