Arid Zone Research ›› 2022, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (3): 723-733.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2022.03.06

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Analysis of multi-scalar characteristics of dry and wet conditions in the Yellow River Basin based on SPEI

GAO Bingli(),GONG Jie(),LI Yan,JIN Tiantian   

  1. College of Earth and Environmental Sciences/Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
  • Received:2021-08-03 Revised:2021-11-03 Online:2022-05-15 Published:2022-05-30
  • Contact: Jie GONG E-mail:gaobl2019@lzu.edu.cn;jgong@lzu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Based on daily data from 70 meteorological stations in the Yellow River Basin from 1960 to 2020, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) based on precipitation and potential evapotranspiration was calculated. Then, the evolution and persistence characteristics of dry-wet change of the Yellow River Basin from 1960 to 2020 were studied and their influence on meteorological factors was analyzed. Results showed the following: (1) There were differences in dry and wet grades and frequencies among the SPEI at different time scales and dry and wet levels were dominated by normal and light conditions. There was an insignificant wetness trend in summer and an insignificant dryness trend annually, and during spring, autumn, and winter from 1960 to 2020 in the Yellow River Basin. Geographically, the summer climate was mainly wet and 64.29% of meteorological stations showed an increased SPEI. The annual, spring, autumn, and winter climate in the Yellow River Basin was mainly dry and 51.43%, 62.86%, 64.29%, and 51.43% of meteorological stations showed a decrease SPEI, respectively. (2) For the different time scales of dry and wet events, 1970-1979 was a partial dry period, whereas 1960-1969 was a partial wet period, and the frequency of dry and wet events was as follows: autumn > summer > spring > winter. (3) From persistent characteristics of dry and wet events, the intensity of ongoing drought events increased and occurred mainly in autumn and winter, whereas the intensity of persistent wet events increased and occurred mainly in autumn. (4) A decreasing trend in the SPEI from 1960 to 2020 was mainly due to combined effects of a decrease of precipitation, average wind speed and relative humidity.

Key words: Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index, dry and wet change, persistence, Yellow River Basin