Moisture changes with increasing summer precipitation in Qilian and Tienshan mountainous areas

The precipitation in the Qilian (QMA) and Tienshan (TMA) mountain areas is one of main sources subsurface surface water northwestern China (NWC). Based on two datasets, CN05.1 station-observed daily precipitation, we found that summer 1979–2020 exhibited an increasing trend NWC. results rotation empirical orthogonal function (REOF) analysis also separated increased patterns QMA TMA from other REOF modes; proportion these to total NWC substantially (0.12%⋅year−1 0.03%⋅year−1, respectively). According moisture budget, evaporation changes were coherently coupled with which suggested feedback between recently warming climate. increase was larger than evaporation, indicating a net wetting TMA. zonal horizontal vertical advection terms contributed more QMA. meridional We concluded comprehensive frameworks vapor transport climate change aimed contribute understanding arid region hydrology.