Warmer and wetter climate induced by the continual increase in atmospheric temperature and precipitable water vapor over the arid and semi–arid regions of Northwest China

• Published in: Journal of hydrology. Regional studies 2022-08, Vol.42, p.101151, Article 101151
• Main Authors: Tian, Jiaxi, Zhang, Zengxin, Zhao, Tianbao, Tao, Hui, Zhu, Bin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arid and semi–arid regions of China; Climatic shift; Precipitable water vapor; Precipitation conversion efficiency; PW scaling
• ISSN: 2214-5818; 2214-5818
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101151

arid and semi–arid regions of Northwest China Precipitable water vapor (PW) is the medium for energy and water exchange, and supplies moisture for precipitation. Based on meteorological data and PW data from observation and six reanalysis products, the climate shift in the arid and semi–arid regions of Northwest China (ASRNC) during 1980–2018 have been explored by applying the reference PW scaling and conversion efficiency of precipitation. The PW of reanalysis data sets was overestimated in spring, while was underestimated in summer, autumn, and winter. However, the spatial distribution of simulated PW was more consistent with the topography of the ASRNC. From 1980–2018, in the context of overall regional warming, the PW was more likely to present significant increasing trends over the regions with high and increasing PW scaling. In general, the PW increased from 1980 to 2000, the fluctuating upward trend intensified thereafter. Meanwhile, the increasing rates of simulated PW were remarkably underestimated during 2000–2018. The precipitation in the ASRNC was greatly influenced by the precipitation conversion efficiency, especially in spring and autumn. Generally, the wet tendency was identified in the western and central regions because of the increase in PW and precipitation conversion efficiency from 1980 to 2018. [Display omitted] •The precipitable water vapor in the ASRNC continually increased during 1980–2018.•The upward trend of precipitable water vapor in the ASRNC intensified after 2000.•Warmer and wetter climate were identified in the ASRNC.