Spatiotemporal Variations in Meteorological Disasters and Vulnerability in China During 2001–2020

Based on the Yearbook of Meteorological Disasters in China, we analyzed spatiotemporal variations major meteorological disaster (MD) losses at provincial scale during 2001–2020 to determine MDs and vulnerability China. Our results suggest that impacts MDs, including floods, droughts, hail strong winds (HSs), low temperature frosts (LTFs), typhoons, have been substantial China affect an average 316.3 million people 34.3 hectares crops each year, causing 1,739 deaths costing 372.3 billion yuan direct economic (DELs). Floods droughts affected more population than other MDs. Fatalities DELs were mainly caused by crop area was impacted drought. The national MD decreased significantly, except for DELs. trends fatalities dominated floods. typhoons showed increasing influence last two decades relative disasters. annual mean long-term exhibited regional heterogeneity subject different dominant hazards regions. their southeastern attributed typhoons. population, area, all significantly positively correlated with exposure. crops, economy tended decrease. Economic development reduced but no significant crops. findings focus should be placed floods socioeconomic has important economy. These provide a foundation designing effective prevention mitigation measures.