Why does the temperature rise faster in the arid region of northwest China?

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 2012-08, Vol.117 (D16), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Li, Baofu, Chen, Yaning, Shi, Xun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: atmospheric circulations; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; greenhouse gas; northwest China; regional climate; Siberian High; temperatrue
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2156-2202
• DOI: 10.1029/2012JD017953

During 1960–2010, the air temperature in the arid region of northwest China had a significant rising trend (P < 0.001), at a rate of 0.343°C/decade, higher than the average of China (0.25°C/decade) and that of the entire globe (0.13°C/decade) for the same period. Based on the analysis of the data from 74 meteorological stations in the region for 1960–2010, we found that among the four seasons the temperature change of winter has been playing the most important role in the yearly change in this region. We also found that the winter temperature in this region has a strong association with the Siberian High (correlation coefficient: R = −0.715) and the greenhouse gas emission (R = 0.51), and between the two the former is stronger. We thus suggest that the weakening of the Siberian High during the 1980s to 1990s on top of the steady increasing of the greenhouse emission is the main reason for the higher rate of the temperature rise in the arid region of the northwest China. Key Points Faster rise of annual temperature is mainly caused by winter temperature rising The most important factor of winter temperature rising is Siberian High The effect of Siberian High on temperature is greater than greenhouse gas's