Short communication:Extreme glacier mass loss triggered by high temperature and drought during hydrological year 2022/2023 in Qilian Mountains

In the hydrological year 2022/2023,the glaciers in the Qilian Mountains experienced unprecedented mass loss.The glacier-wide mass balance was-1,188 mm w.e.,in contrast to-350 mm of average mass balance since 1990 over the Bailanghe Glacier No.12 in the middle of Qilian Mountains.The temperature during 2022–2023 reached the highest value ever recorded,second only to 2022,while at the same time the precipitation amount was less compared to other year since 2000,which together led to the strongest glacier mass loss during 2022–2023.The atmospheric circulation analysis shows that the high temperature in the Qilian Mountains in 2023 was jointly caused by the Arctic air mass and East Asian monsoon.

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Summer Extreme High Temperature in Guizhou Province from 1970 to 2020

Based on the daily maximum temperature data of 31 meteorological observation stations and some statistical methods, the temporal and spatial characteristics of summer extreme high temperature in Guizhou province from 1970 to 2020 are analyzed. The results indicate that: 1) The threshold of extreme high temperature (EHT) in summer in Guizhou province had a large spatial difference, with decreasing characteristics from the northeast to the southwest, it was negatively correlated with the altitude. 2) In most parts of Guizhou province, the extreme high temperature days (EHTD) in summer can reach about 4.2 d, the lowest EHTD occurred in the southernmost part. From June to August, the EHTD gradually increased, especially in Central and eastern parts of Guizhou province. However, the extreme high temperature intensity (EHTI) displayed similar distribution characteristics in summer, June, July and August, with larger value in the northeast part and lower value in the southwest part of Guizhou. 3) EHTD had a rising trend in almost stations, except for the PZ station, the increased range and intensity gradually increased from June to August. But the EHTI had a larger spatial difference, especially in June, it declined in most parts of Guizhou, the declined scope and intensity gradually decreased in July, and completely increased in August, this made EHTI show an increasing trend in summer in most parts the Guizhou province. 4) The averaged EHTD increased by 0.62 d/10a (p 0.1), the significant increase also occurred in August, but it increased insignificantly in June and July. The averaged EHTI had insignificant increase in summer and the three months. In general, the EHTD and EHTI increased in most parts of Guizhou province during the period of 1970-2020, this may be related to the changes of them in August.

An Abrupt Increase in the Summer High Temperature Extreme Days across China in the mid-1990s

Based on the daily maximum surface air temperature records from an updated homogenized temperature dataset for 549 Chinese stations during 1960-2008,we reveal that there is an abrupt increase in the number of days with high temperature extremes （HTEs,an HTE day is defined when the maximum temperature exceeds the 95th percentile of the daily maximum temperature distributions） across China in the mid-1990s.Before this regime shift,the average number of HTE days is about 2.9 d yr 1 during the period from the 1970s to the early 1990s,while it rocketed to about 7.2 d yr 1 after the mid-1990s.We show that the significant HTE day increase occurs uniformly across the whole of China after the regime shift.The observational evidence raises the possibility that this change in HTE days is associated with global-scale warming as well as circulation adjustment.Possible causes for the abrupt change in the HTE days are discussed,and the circulation adjustment is suggested to play a crucial role in the increase in HTE days in this region.

Future Changes in Extreme High Temperature over China at 1.5℃-5℃ Global Warming Based on CMIP6 Simulations

Extreme high temperature(EHT)events are among the most impact-related consequences related to climate change,especially for China,a nation with a large population that is vulnerable to the climate warming.Based on the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6),this study assesses future EHT changes across China at five specific global warming thresholds(1.5℃-5℃).The results indicate that global mean temperature will increase by 1.5℃/2℃ before 2030/2050 relative to pre-industrial levels(1861-1900)under three future scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5),and warming will occur faster under SSP5-8.5 compared to SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5.Under SSP5-8.5,global warming will eventually exceed 5℃ by 2100,while under SSP1-2.6,it will stabilize around 2℃ after 2050.In China,most of the areas where warming exceeds global average levels will be located in Tibet and northern China(Northwest China,North China and Northeast China),covering 50%-70%of the country.Furthermore,about 0.19-0.44 billion people(accounting for 16%-41%of the national population)will experience warming above the global average.Compared to present-day(1995-2014),the warmest day(TXx)will increase most notably in northern China,while the number of warm days(TX90p)and warm spell duration indicator(WSDI)will increase most profoundly in southern China.For example,relative to the present-day,TXx will increase by 1℃-5℃ in northern China,and TX90p(WSDI)will increase by 25-150(10-80)days in southern China at 1.5℃-5℃ global warming.Compared to 2℃-5℃,limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will help avoid about 36%-87%of the EHT increases in China.

The Impact of Indian Ocean Variability on High Temperature Extremes across the Southern Yangtze River Valley in Late Summer

In this study, the teleconnection between Indian Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies （SSTAs） and the frequency of high temperature extremes （HTEs） across the southern Yangtze River valley （YRV） was investigated. The results indicate that the frequency of HTEs across the southern YRV in August is remotely influenced by the Indian Ocean basin mode （IOBM） SSTAs. Corresponding to June-July-August （JJA） IOBM warming condition, the number of HTEs was above normal, and corresponding to IOBM cooling conditions, the number of HTEs was below normal across the southern YRV in August. The results of this study indicate that the tropical IOBM warming triggered low-level anomalous anticyclonic circulation in the subtropical northwestern Pacific Ocean and southern China by emanating a warm Kelvin wave in August. In the southern YRV, the reduced rainfall and downward vertical motion associated with the anomalous low-level anticyclonic circulation led to the increase of HTE frequency in August.

Trends in extreme high temperature at different altitudes of Southwest China during 1961–2014

This study analyzed the trends in extreme high temperature in Southwest China based on the observed daily maximum temperature and average temperature data from 410 Chinese stations recently released by the China Meteorological Administration.The authors found that the trends in extreme high temperature at different altitudes of Southwest China exhibit staged variations during a recent 50-year period(1961–2014).The trends in mean temperature and maximum temperature also exhibit phase variation.All temperature-related variables increase gently during the period 1975–94,whereas they increase dramatically during the recent period of 1995–2014,with a rate that is approximately two to ten times more than that during 1975–94.In addition,the trends in mean temperature,maximum temperature,and the frequency of extreme high temperature in the low altitudes transit from negative to positive in the two periods,while they increase dramatically in the mid-and high-altitude areas during 1995–2014,the well-known global warming hiatus period.In particular,the maximum temperature increases much faster than that of average temperature.This result implies that the regional temperature trend could be apparently different from the global mean temperature change.

Climatology and Trends of High Temperature Extremes across China in Summer

Based on the daily maximum air temperature data from 300 stations in China from 1958 to 2008, the climatological distribution of the number of days with high temperature extremes （HTEs, maximum temperatures higher than 35℃） are studied with a focus on the long-term trends. Although the number of HTE days display well-defined sandwich spatial structures with significant decreasing trends in central China and increasing trends in northern China and southern China, the authors show that the decrease of HTE days in central China occurs mainly in the early period before the 1980s, and a significant increase of HTE days dominates most of the stations after the 1980s. The authors also reveal that there is a jump-like acceleration in the number of HTE days at most stations across China since the mid 1990s, especially in South China, East China, North China, and northwest China.

Intra-seasonal Features of an Extreme High Temperature Event in 2011 in Eastern China and Its Atmospheric Circulation

Based on the daily maximum air temperature(T_(max))data from the China Meteorological Data Network and the NCEP/DOE reanalysis data,the intra-seasonal circulation and evolution of an extreme high temperature event(EHTE)in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River(MYR)from August 9-21,2011 were explored,as well as the influence of diabatic heating on the position variation of the Western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH).Results show that the daily T_(max) in the MYR exhibits a vigorous intraseasonal oscillation(ISO)of 10-25 days in the extended summer of 1980-2018.The main factors affecting the EHTE in the summer of 2011 are the low-frequency wave train propagating southeastward in the mid-latitude of the upper troposphere and the low-frequency anticyclone moving northwestward in the lowlatitude of the mid-lower troposphere.The diagnosis of 925hPa thermodynamic equation indicates that the ISO features of the T_(max) in the core region is determined by the intra-seasonal variation of the adiabatic variation.In addition,the variations of the WPSH correspond well to the distribution of apparent heat source.In the early stage of the high temperature process,the apparent heat source in the north of the Bay of Bengal is a certain indicator for the westward extension of the WPSH.

A Study on Extreme Temperature and Climate Events in Zhejiang Region of East China

The extreme high temperature anomaly (EHTA) events in a region are one of the most important climatic parameters to make climate assessment of the trend of regional climate change. The diagnosis and analysis of the EHTA event in Zhejiang Province in East China in 2022 show that the event has set the rarest record in this region in the past 71 years from both time and space perspectives. The results of Mann-Kendall trend analysis showed that the mean annual high temperature days in Zhejiang Province had a sudden change. The sudden change occurred around 2004, and the trend was rising after the sudden change.

Changes in extreme high temperature warning indicators over China under different global warming levels

High temperature warning indicators play a pivotal role in meteorological departments,serving as crucial criteria for issuing warnings that guide both social production and daily life.Despite their importance,limited studies have explored the relationship between different global warming levels and changes in high temperature warning indicators.In this study,we analyze data from 2,419 meteorological stations over China and utilize the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6)models to examine historical changes in high temperature warning indicators used by the China Meteorological Administration.We evaluate model performance and estimate future changes in these indicators using an annual cycle bias correction method.The results indicate that since 1961,the number of high temperature days(TX35d and TX40d)and length of season(TX40d and TX40l)with daily maximum temperature reaching or exceeding 35℃ and 40℃ have increased over China.The intensity of high temperatures(TXx)has strengthened and the geographical extent affected by high temperatures has expanded.In 2022,the occurrence of 40℃ high temperatures surges,with Eastern China experiencing a two-day increase in TX40d and an extended seasonal length in TX40l by over five days.While CMIP6 models have underestimated the high temperature indictors associated with 35℃ during historical periods,notable difference is not observed between the models and observations for TX40d and TX40l,given their rare occurrence.However,future projections,after bias correction,indicate that the increasing trends for 35℃ and 40℃ high temperature days and length of season become more pronounced than the raw projection,suggesting a more severe increase than that anticipated originally.As global warming intensifies,the high temperature days and length of season are projected to increase non-linearly,while the intensity of high temperatures is expected to increase linearly.For every 1℃ increase in global temperature,the intensity is projected to rise by approximately 1.4℃.The impact of high temperatures is expanding,with the major hotspot for China located in the eastern and northwestern regions.Under 5℃ global warming,certain regions in China may experience prolonged extreme high temperatures.For instance,40℃ high temperature days in areas like North China and the Yangtze River Basin could increase by about 32 d,and the length of season could extend by approximately 100 d.

Evaluation and Projection of Extreme High Temperature Indices in Southwestern China Using NEX-GDDP-CMIP6

Based on the recently released NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections(NEX-GDDP)Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6) dataset and the gridded observational daily dataset CN05.1, this study evaluates the performance of 26 CMIP6 models in simulating extreme high temperature(EHT) indices in southwestern China and estimates future changes in the EHT indices under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways(SSPs) SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 using 11 optimal CMIP6 models. Five EHT indices are employed:annual maximum value of daily maximum temperature(TXX), high temperature days(T35), warm days(TX90P),heat wave frequency(HWF), and heat wave days(HWD). The main results are as follows.(1) NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 is highly capable of simulating the spatial patterns of TXX and T35 in southwestern China but it presents a weaker ability to simulate the spatial patterns of TX90P, HWF, and HWD.(2) The simulated time series of T35, TX90P, HWF,and HWD in southwestern China exhibit consistent upward trends with the observations. The linear trends of increase in TX90P and HWD are much greater than those of increase in TXX, T35, and HWF.(3) The estimated increases in TXX and T35 in southwestern China are significantly greater in Chongqing and the adjacent areas of Sichuan than in the other regions. Spatial distributions of the increases in TX90P, HWF, and HWD generally show higher values in the west and lower values in the east.(4) In the three different scenarios, the projected future TXX,T35, TX90P, and HWD in southwestern China all display a continuous increase with time and radiative forcing levels, whereas HWF initially increases but then decreases under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. By the end of the 21st century, under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, TXX and T35 are projected to increase by 6.0℃ and 45.0 days, respectively. The duration of individual heat waves is also expected to increase.

Climate state of the Three Gorges Region in the Yangtze River basin in 2022–2023

Based on daily observation data of the Three Gorges Region(TGR)of the Yangtze River basin and global reanalysis data,the climate characteristics,climate events,and meteorological disasters of the TGR in 2022 and 2023 were analyzed.For the TGR,the average annual temperature for 2022 and 2023 was 0.8℃ and 0.4℃ higher than normal,respectively,making them the two warmest years in the past decade.In 2022,the TGR experienced its warmest summer on record.The average air temperature was 2.4℃ higher than the average,and there were 24.8 days of above-average high temperature days during summer.Rainfall in the TGR varied significantly between 2022 and 2023.Annual rainfall was 18.4%below normal and drier than normal in most parts of the region.In contrast,the precipitation in 2023 was considerably higher than the long-term average,and above normal for almost the entire year.The average wind speed exhibited minimal variation between the two years.However,the number of foggy days and relative humidity increased in 2023 compared to 2022.In 2022–2023,the TGR mainly experienced meteorological disasters such as extreme high temperatures,regional heavy rain and flooding,overcast rain,and inverted spring chill.Analysis indicates that the abnormal western Pacific subtropical high and the abnormal persistence of the eastward-shifted South Asian high were the two important drivers of the durative enhancement of record-breaking high temperature in the summer of 2022.

How did high temperature extremes in southern Xinjiang,China induce the repaid rise in jujube futures prices in the summer of 2021?

In the summer of 2021,southern Xinjiang,China,experienced a temporary period of high temperature extremes.Because of this weather event,jujube futures prices rose by more than 50%in a short time.To clarify the influence mechanism of these two events,we investigated the current status of jujube farming and collected investors’online comments.We analysed these comments specifically using textual analysis tools,such as co-word networks.Results showed that the concerns of investors about the reduction in jujube production triggered by high temperature extremes were the primary reason for the rapid rise in jujube futures prices.Especially in combination with the cultivation density of jujube and their adaptability to the growing environment,a new understanding can be obtained.That is to say,when a crop is excessively densely cultivated in a region and is highly sensitive to a meteorological variable anomaly at a certain growth stage,a less destructive local extreme weather event could induce severe panic among investors regarding production reduction and thus influence the normal changes in futures price.In response to the impact mechanisms revealed in this study,we proposed policy recommendations,such as strengthening the degree of crop damage disclosure and designing weather futures derivatives,to address similar situations in the future.This study not only fills the gap in the research on the impact paths of high temperature extremes on jujube futures prices but also has a reference value for securing the stability of futures prices of related agricultural products in the future.

Multi-scenario-based hazard analysis of high temperature extremes experienced in China during 1951-2010

China is physically and socio-economically susceptible to global warming-derived high temperature extremes because of its vast area and high urban population density. This article presents a scenario-based analysis method for high temperature extremes aimed at illustrating the latter＇s hazardous potential and exposure across China. Based on probability analysis, high temperature extreme scenarios with return periods of 5, 10, 20, and 50 years were designed, with a high temperature hazard index calculated by integrating two differen- tially-weighted extreme temperature indices （maximum temperature and high temperature days）. To perform the exposure analysis, a land use map was employed to determine the spatial distribution of susceptible human activities under the different scenarios. The results indicate that there are two heat-prone regions and a sub-hotspot occupying a relatively small land area. However, the societal and economic consequences of such an environmental im- pact upon the North China Plain and middle/lower Yangtze River Basin would be substantial due to the concentration of human activities in these areas.

Projected changes in population exposure to extreme heat in China under a RCP8.5 scenario

Overall population exposure is measured by multiplying the annual average number of extremely hot days by the number of people exposed to the resultant heat. Extreme heat is also subdivided into high temperature（HT） and extremely high temperature（EHT） in cases where daily maximum temperature exceeds 35℃ and 40℃, respectively. Chinese population exposure to HT and EHT over four periods in the future（i.e., 2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2060–2081 and 2081–2100） were projected at the grid cell level in this study using daily maximum temperature based on an ensemble mean of 21 global climate models under the RCP8.5 scenario and with a population projection based on the A2 r socio-economic scenario. The relative importance of population and climate as drivers of population exposure was evaluated at different spatial scales including national and meteorological geographical divisions. Results show that, compared with population exposure seen during 1981–2010, the base period, exposure to HT in China is likely to increase by 1.3, 2.0, 3.6, and 5.9 times, respectively, over the four periods, while concomitant exposure to EHT is likely to increase by 2.0, 8.3, 24.2, and 82.7 times, respectively. Data show that population exposure to HT is likely to increase significantly in Jianghuai region, Southwest China and Jianghan region, in particular in North China, Huanghuai region, South China and Jiangnan region. Population exposure to EHT is also likely to increase significantly in Southwest China and Jianghan region, especially in North China, Huanghuai, Jiangnan, and Jianghuai regions. Results reveal that climate is the most important factor driving the level of population exposure in Huanghuai, Jianghuai, Jianghan, and Jiangnan regions, as well as in South and Southwest China, followed by the interactive effect between population and climate. Data show that the climatic factor is also most significant at the national level, followed by the interactive effect between population and climate. The rate of contribution of climate to national-level projected changes in exposure is likely to decrease gradually from ca. 70% to ca. 60%, while the rate of contribution of concurrent changes in both population and climate is likely to increase gradually from ca. 20% to ca. 40% over the four future periods in this analysis.

An unprecedented high temperature event in southern China in autumn 2021 and the essential role of the mid-latitude trough

Studies about high temperatures in China rarely touched the period beyond summer.But in September-early October 2021,a record-breaking high temperature event occurred in southern China,and affected agriculture in many provinces.Both the daily maximum temperature and the number of high temperature days were the highest in September since 1951.To better understand the different features and possible causes of the extreme event in autumn from those in summer,the analysis of atmospheric circulation patterns was conducted.The western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH)was quite stronger and extended much more westward in most of the days in September 2021 than its climatology,which directly caused this unprecedented autumn high temperature event.Besides,the mid-latitude trough over the east of Japan may also play an essential role in this high temperature event.Due to the southward extension of the trough,a cyclonic circulation anomaly appeared at 850 hPa,and its northerly wind component prevailed in the west of the trough and blocked the eastward retreat of the WPSH.As a result,southern China was stably controlled by the WPSH,which led to the persistence of this high temperature event.The conclusion is further confirmed by the statistical results from the analysis of the multi-year data and analogue analysis.Compared to the previous studies,this study reveals the essential role of the mid-latitude trough and highlights the joint impacts of the WPSH and the trough in causing the unprecedented autumn high temperature event.