Zhang et al. (2026) Weather Typing and Associated Moisture Source Distinctions for Extreme Precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Climate
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-02
• Authors: Mingxi Zhang, Yu Zhang, Siyu Yue, Yongqiang Wang
• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-26-0289.1

Research Groups

• Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUST)
• State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling of Earth’s System, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Short Summary

This study investigates the relationship between weather typing and associated moisture source distinctions for extreme precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin. The research identifies four typical circulation patterns that contribute to extreme precipitation events in the region.

Objective

• Investigate the relationship between weather typing and associated moisture source distinctions for extreme precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin.
• Identify the typical circulation patterns responsible for extreme precipitation events in the region.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: The study focuses on the Yangtze River Basin, which covers an area of approximately 1.8 million square kilometers in eastern China.
• Temporal Scale: The study analyzes data from 1979 to 2020, covering a period of over four decades.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: ERA5 global reanalysis dataset was used as the primary source of atmospheric data.
• Data sources: Satellite, observation, and reanalysis datasets were used to analyze precipitation patterns and moisture transport in the region.

Main Results

• Four typical circulation patterns (TCPs) were identified, which contribute to extreme precipitation events in the Yangtze River Basin:
  • TCP1: A subtropical high-pressure system that brings warm and humid air from the Pacific Ocean.
  • TCP2: A mid-latitude trough that leads to an increase in moisture transport from the Indian Ocean.
  • TCP3: A tropical cyclone that contributes to extreme precipitation events through intense moisture transport.
  • TCP4: A cold front that brings cool and dry air, leading to a decrease in precipitation.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the relationship between weather typing and associated moisture source distinctions for extreme precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin.
• The identification of typical circulation patterns responsible for extreme precipitation events can help improve precipitation forecasting and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on the region.

Funding

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41875069)
• Ministry of Education’s Key Research Project (Grant No. 2017FZA1001)

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Weather,
  author = {Zhang, Mingxi and Zhang, Yu and Yue, Siyu and Wang, Yongqiang},
  title = {Weather Typing and Associated Moisture Source Distinctions for Extreme Precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin},
  journal = {Journal of Climate},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1175/jcli-d-26-0289.1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-26-0289.1}
}