A recent study published in the Journal of Hydrology has shed light on the time-lag effects of meteorological elements and atmospheric signals on extreme precipitation (EP) indices in the Tienshan Mountains of Central Asia (TMCA). 

Led by Prof. CHEN Yaning from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the study provides new insights into the dynamic interactions between climate factors and extreme weather events in the region.

Using long-term meteorological data, the researchers generated EP indices and applied analytical methods such as partial correlation and wavelet coherence to examine seasonal fluctuations and time-lag characteristics of EP. 

Their findings reveal a clear seasonal differentiation in EP indices, with peak values occurring in summer and lower values in winter. Additionally, temperature and water vapor content were found to have the shortest time-lag periods for EP during spring and summer, respectively.

The researchers also identified key driving factors behind these time-lag effects across different seasons. These include the Northern Hemisphere Subtropical High Intensity, Solar Flux, NINO B area sea surface temperature anomaly, and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation.

"These findings have important implications for understanding the dynamic responses between EP and climatic factors," said WANG Yihan, first author of the study.

This study enhances the understanding of the time-lag effects in the TMCA amid climate change, and provides important theoretical support for formulating disaster prevention and mitigation strategies.