Changes in temperature and precipitation extremes in the arid regions of China during 1960–2016

Extreme climate events have a greater impact on natural and human systems than average climate. The spatial temporal variation of 16 temperature nine precipitation extremal indices was investigated using the daily maximum minimum surface air records from 113 meteorological stations in China’s arid regions 1960 to 2016. warmth [warm spell duration (WSDI); numbers warm nights, days, tropical nights (TR), summer days (SU)] increased significantly. On contrary, cold [numbers frost (FD), ice (ID), cool nights; (CSDI)] decreased number FD fastest (?3.61 days/decade), whereas growing season length (GSL) (3.17 days/decade). trend strongest for diurnal range (DTR) (trend rate = ?7.29, P < 0.001) night 7.70, 0.001). extreme with increasing latitude, but decreased. Compared indices, exhibited much weaker changes less continuity. Overall, extremes present wet trends, although most are insignificant. regionally averaged total annual by 4.78 mm per decade, become more intense frequent during study period. variability region primarily influenced longitude. Furthermore, experienced warm-wet abrupt change 1990s.