Analysis of Annual and Seasonal Precipitation Variation in the Qinba Mountain area, China

In this study, the spatial and temporal characteristics in precipitation extremes, total precipitation, and the seasonality of precipitation of the Qinba Mountain in China were investigated from 1961 to 2015, based on daily precipitation data of 37 meteorological stations. The results from our study suggest that: the annual precipitation in the area varies between 645 mm and 2175.2 mm, with the minimum annual precipitation occurred in 1997, and the maximum annual precipitation, in 1963. Between 1961 and 2015, a significant decreasing trend was observed in the annual precipitation, suggesting a decrease of −21.1 mm/a. The spatial distribution of precipitation in the Qinba Mountain area increased from the north to the south, showing an obvious difference in precipitation between the two areas. For extreme indices, the trends of annual total wet-day precipitation (PRCPTOT), number of heavy precipitation days (R10mm)and consecutive wet days (CWD)showed a downward trend, while the other extreme indices had an upward trend. The results from our research not only help the researchers to understand the characteristics of precipitation, but also provide crucial information for the policy makers to make better decisions, in future.