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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (10): 1747-1759.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.796

• Climatology and Hydrology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Historical changes and future scenario projections of extreme temperature cold (warm) index in Xinjiang

YANG Yang1(), CHANG Wei1(), ZHANG Xingdong2   

  1. 1. School of Economics and Management, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, Xingjiang, China
    2. Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, Jilin, China
  • Received:2024-12-27 Revised:2025-03-06 Online:2025-10-25 Published:2025-10-27
  • Contact: CHANG Wei E-mail:20222316113@stu.shzu.edu.cn;changw@shzu.edu.cn

Abstract:

To examine the historical and projected variations of cold and warm extreme temperature indices in Xinjiang, China under global warming, this study provides a scientific basis for developing climate adaptation strategies. Using observational data from 52 meteorological stations in Xinjiang (1960—2021) and Coupled model intercomparison project phase 6 (CMIP6) climate model outputs (1960—2100), models with superior simulation accuracy were selected. Multi-model ensemble means were then applied to analyze four cold and four warm extreme temperature indices during the historical period and under three future scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. The results show that: (1) From 1960 to 2021, cold indices significantly decreased, while warm indices increased, with nighttime changes exceeding daytime variations, reflecting an overall regional warming trend. (2) Future projections (2025—2100) indicate continued decreases in cold indices and increases in warm indices across all scenarios, with the SSP5-8.5 pathway exhibiting the most pronounced changes. (3) Spatially, cold and warm indices change consistently across Xinjiang, with both regional differences and commonalities. Summer days and warm nights exhibit strong similarity under all scenarios, whereas frost days, cool nights, cool days, and growing season length show higher consistency under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. Xinjiang is already undergoing an extreme warming process, which is expected to intensify. Strengthening adaptive capacity is therefore essential to ensure sustainable regional development.

Key words: CMIP6 models, extreme temperatures events, spatial-temporal differentiation, climate tendency rate, Xinjiang