The use of different climatological normal periods means the change of the evaluation results of meteorological elements, the abnormal state of climate events and their change characteristics, which have a substantial impact on the climate monitoring and prediction operations. Using temperature and precipitation observation data from national meteorological stations in Ningxia from 1981 to 2021, this study conducted a comparative analysis of the temperature and precipitation characteristics between the old climatological normal period (1981-2010) and the new climatological normal period (1991-2020). Additionally, it explored the changes in extreme characteristics of these factors. The results are as follows: Compared to the old climatological normal period, the annual and seasonal average temperatures in Ningxia are generally higher in the new climatological normal period, which is particularly evident in spring, summer and winter, and the frequency of abnormally high (low) temperatures increases (decreases) accordingly. Yinchuan, the western part of Wuzhong, and the northern part of Zhongwei are areas experiencing significant temperature increase. The overall intensity of extreme high (low) temperature has intensified (weakened), and their frequency has increased (decreased). In summer, the threshold and intensity of extreme high-temperature rise across various regions, especially in the central and northern areas, while in winter, the intensity of extreme low-temperature weakens in most regions, the amplitude of extreme low-temperature varies significantly. The average annual precipitation, as well as the summer, autumn and winter average precipitation, are greater in the new climatological normal period compared to the old. There’s an increased frequency of abnormally more precipitation in summer and autumn, whereas the opposite trend is observed in spring and winter. Meanwhile, the frequency of abnormally less precipitation in all seasons has decreased to some extents. There are significant spatial differences in seasonal precipitation, with a general increase in precipitation in summer and autumn, and a pattern of “decreasing in the north and increasing in the south” in spring and winter. The overall trend of extreme precipitation in spring and autumn (summer and winter) is intensifying (weakening), albeit with fewer (more) extreme precipitation events. In summer, the threshold and intensity variations of extreme precipitation are greater in the north and south, and smaller in the central region, with a notable increase in extreme precipitation in Shizuishan.
With the global warming, the intensity and frequency of abnormal drought and flood are increasing, to improve the understanding of drought-flood transition events and the ability of precipitation prediction in the east region of Northwest China, the circulation characteristics of drought-to-flood transition over the east region of Northwest China from spring to summer are analyzed by establishing an index based on the observed monthly mean precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST), and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets during 1979-2020, and the possible influence from the Atlantic SST anomalies is also discussed. The results are summarized as follows: In spring of drought-to-flood years, the polar vortex is weaker, the Ural blocking is stronger and deeper, and the east Asian trough is deeper, which result in less precipitation in the east region of Northwest China controlled by dry and cold northwest flow. In summer, the upstream low-pressure system is active, the south Asian high is stronger and the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) is stronger and westward. Such circulation anomalous can lead to warm and moisture air supplement, resulting in a sharp transition phenomenon occurring in the east region of Northwest China. While in flood-to-drought years, it presents an opposite feature. From the previous winter to summer, the Atlantic tripole SST anomalies are key factors affecting the difference of precipitation between spring and summer. In spring of drought-to-flood years, the negative phase of the Atlantic tripole SST pattern stimulates a zonal teleconnection wave train, passing through the central and western Europe, Lake Balkhash, and Northeast China to the Sea of Japan, and this circulation is conducive to less precipitation in the study area. With respect to summer, the intensity of the wave train is weakened and shifts westward. Therefore, the intensity and location of the key circulation system in the middle and high latitudes are adjusted comparing with that in spring, causing more precipitation. In flood-to-drought years the opposite occurs.
Based on data such as first frost date in Ningxia, geopotential height, sea surface temperature (SST), snow cover area, and sea ice area from 1981 to 2019, the influence of external forcing factors including sea surface temperature, sea ice area, and snow cover area on the abnormally early and late first frost in Ningxia was studied. On the basis of above, a physical conceptual model and an objective prediction model for predicting first frost date were established. The results are as follows: (1) In the early years of first frost, the SST in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific continued to be significantly warmer in the early period, and the SST anomaly presented an obvious ENSO model. When the SST of the equatorial central and eastern Pacific was warmer in the early period, the east Asian trough was stronger and the subtropical high was weaker, which was conducive to cold air activity. So, first frost date was early, otherwise it was late. (2) The snow cover area in the northern hemisphere from May to August in the early period and the sea ice area of Greenland from January to July had a continuously and significantly negative correlation with the date of first frost. When the snow cover in the northern hemisphere decreased or the sea ice in Greenland decreased, the east Asian trough was weaker and the western Pacific subtropical high was relatively stronger, which was not conducive to active cold air, causing first frost to be late, and vice versa. (3) The main factors affecting the date of first frost in Ningxia were the intensity of the east Asian trough, the SST anomaly in the NINO3.4 area, the SST anomaly in the tropical south Atlantic, the snow area in the northern hemisphere, the intensity of the western Pacific subtropical high, and the area of Greenland sea ice. The objective prediction model established by using the multiple regression equation had a good prediction effect.
