Spatio-temporal differentiation of climate warming (1959-2016) in the middle Qinling Mountains of China

doi:10.1007/s11442-020-1748-1

Abstract

Abstract:

Based on air temperature observation data from 32 meteorological stations, temperature changes in the middle Qinling Mountains from 1959 to 2016 were analysed with respect to the north-south, seasonal and altitude differences. Our research mainly showed the following results. The annual temperature (TA) rose approximately 0.26℃/10a within the past 58 years. This warming trend was stronger on the northern slope than on the southern slope, and a warming trend reversal occurred in 1994 on the northern slope, which was three years earlier than on the southern slope. The temperature changes for the four seasons were not synchronized, and the trend in spring contributed the most to the TA trend, followed by winter, autumn, and summer. The temperature difference between summer and winter (TDSW) decreased significantly over the past 58 years. The temperature change in the middle Qinling Mountains was clearly dependent on altitude. With increases in altitude, the TA increased gradually and became stronger while the TDSW decreased gradually and became weaker. Differences in temperature change between the north and south were mainly observed in low-altitude areas. With increase in altitude, the differences gradually tended to disappear.

Key words: air temperature, change trend, seasonal differences, altitude dependence, middle Qinling Mountains, China

ZHAO Ting, BAI Hongying, YUAN Yuan, DENG Chenhui, QI Guizeng, ZHAI Danping. Spatio-temporal differentiation of climate warming (1959-2016) in the middle Qinling Mountains of China[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2020, 30(4): 657-668.

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Location	Station name	Latitude (°N)	Longitude (°E)	Altitude (m)
North slope	Tangyu1	34.004	107.815	3213
	Tangyu2	34.000	107.816	2767
	Tangyu3	34.013	107.833	2253
	Jiangmeigonglu	34.067	107.467	1510
	Honghegu	34.004	107.755	1273
	Yingge	34.083	107.683	857
	Wengongmiao	33.998	107.811	3378
South slope	Taiyanggonglu	33.884	107.409	2329
	Taiyanggonglubei	33.969	107.299	2000
	Taiyanggonglunan	33.872	107.455	1988
	Huangbaiyuan	33.817	107.517	1232

Altitude ranges (m)	Spring		Summer		Autumn		Winter
Altitude ranges (m)	N	S	N	S	N	S	N	S
<600	0.40**	0.25**	-0.05	-0.08	0.18**	0.15*	0.27**	0.18**
600-1500	0.39**	0.30**	0.05	0.05	0.27**	0.24**	0.32**	0.28**
1500-2600	0.41**	0.34**	0.24*	0.23*	0.42**	0.39**	0.42**	0.40**
>2600	0.42**	0.39**	0.45**	0.43**	0.59**	0.57**	0.52**	0.50**