Characteristics and main influence factors of heat waves in Beijing–Tianjin–Shijiazhuang cities of northern China in recent 50 years. (15th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Zuofang; Xu, Guirong; Wang, Yaoting; Li, Qingchun; Li, Jiangbo
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric science letters. Volume 21:Number 11(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-06-15
• Subjects: climate warming -- frequency -- heat waves -- intensity -- urban heat island -- variance analysis; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/asl.1001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1530-261X

Abstract

Abstract: Heat wave is serious natural disaster that can harm human health and affect social economy, transportation and ecological environment. This paper investigates the long term trends of high temperature events in three major cities (Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang) of northern China during 1970–2019, and quantifies the contributions of main influencing factors to the variability of high temperature days. High temperature events in Beijing–Tianjin–Shijiazhuang cities mainly occur from June to July and account for 60–65% of the annual total, showing a significant upward trend in the interannual change. There is a trend of high temperature events starting early and ending late in recent 50 years, and this trend is intensified by the increasing urbanization. Due to geographical location and city scale, the frequency and intensity of high temperature events show difference among Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang cities. Variance analysis shows that climate warming contributes 20.2–25.5% to the variability of high temperature days, while urban heat island accounts for 14.7–24.2%, equal to the sum of the contributions from atmospheric circulation and solar activity. Abstract : This study analyzes the change trend of high temperature days in Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang cities of northern China during 1970–2019. High temperature days increase generally in recent 50 years, with trend of high temperature events starting early and ending late, and this trend is intensified by urbanization. Differences are found in the frequency and intensity of high temperature days among these cities. Climate warming contributes 20.2–25.5% to the variability of high temperature days, and urbanization accounts for 14.7–24.2%.