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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (4): 175-192.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2026.00026

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Characteristics of extreme climate change in Horqin Sandy Land from 1971 to 2025

Yamin Gao1,2(), Yuhan Jiang2, Jing Yu2, Linli Sun2(), Lasu Na3, Xiaohui Bai2, Chengzhuo Zheng4   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Arid Climate Change and Reducing Disaster of Gansu Province / Key Open Laboratory of Arid Climate Change and Disaster Reduction of CMA,Institute of Arid Meteorology,China Meteorological Administration,Lanzhou 730020,China
    2.Tongliao Meteorological Bureau,Tongliao 028000,Inner Mongolia,China
    3.Kulun Banner Meteorological Bureau,Kulun Banner 028200,Inner Mongolia,China
    4.Naiman Desertification Research Station,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
  • Received:2026-01-29 Revised:2026-03-27 Online:2026-07-20 Published:2026-08-27
  • Contact: Linli Sun

Abstract:

Horqin Sandy Land is a sandstorm source region and a typical ecologically fragile area in northern China. To clarify the evolution patterns of extreme climate in this region, this study systematically investigates the variation characteristics, mutation features, and future trend predictions of 24 extreme climate indices based on the daily temperature and precipitation data from 20 national meteorological stations in Horqin Sandy Land from 1971 to 2025. The results showed that: (1) The extreme temperature indices exhibited a significant asymmetric warming trend, with nighttime warming being more pronounced than daytime warming. The warm event indices showed a highly significant increase (P<0.01), while the number of frost days and cold nights showed a highly significant decrease (P<0.01). Spatially, the increase in warm events and decrease in cold events were more pronounced in high-latitude regions.The mutation points were predominantly concentrated in the mid-to-late 1980s and 1990s, and most indices were projected to continue their historical trends into the future.(2) Extreme precipitation indices exhibited significant interannual variability, with no notable overall trend.Extreme precipitation magnitude indices and the number of precipitation days showed a predominantly increasing trend, and after 2010, the region entered a phase of frequent heavy rainfall and increased precipitation. Spatial variation exhibited a pattern of “more in the east and less in the west”.Most indices had low persistence, posing risks of abrupt changes and fluctuations in the future.(3) The Western Pacific Subtropical High and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) primarily promote extreme high temperatures and suppress extreme low temperatures (P<0.05), while the polar vortex systems in Asia and the Northern Hemisphere exhibit the opposite effect. The strengthening of the subtropical high system significantly increases precipitation (P<0.05) and reduces persistent drought; cold-tongue ENSO, AMO, and the Western Pacific Warm Pool are negatively correlated with persistent drought (P<0.01), while the polar vortex exacerbates persistent drought (P<0.01). The research findings can provide a scientific basis for regional climate risk assessment and the formulation of adaptation strategies.

Key words: extreme temperature, extreme precipitation, mutation test, persistence analysis, Horqin Sandy Land

CLC Number: