Spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of precipitation in Tarim River Basin during 1960–2009

Using U.S. NCEP/NCAR monthly mean reanalysis data (2.5°×2.5°) and daily precipitation data at 26 weather stations in Tarim River Basin from 1960 to 2009, spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of precipitation over Tarim River Basin (TRB) were analyzed. The results show that: 1) The spatial distribution of precipitation in TRB was in contrast with that in China, showing a gradual increase trend from southeast to northwest with some variation in different seasons and the year with more (less) rainfall; 2)The annual change in precipitation over mountains, plains and five sub-regions were likely consistent, and the decadal mutation of precipitation in around 1987 and 2003 appeared at almost all regions; 3)During the period of 1978 to 2003 in which global warming was the most significant, precipitation over mountain showed an clear increasing trend, while the precipitation over plain showed decreasing trend. It can be believed that the complexity of spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation over TRB implied a variety of precipitation mechanisms in this area, and the warm and wet evidence in western Tianshan Mountains may be the signal that global warming is accelerating the local water cycle.