Climate Events and Impacts in May of 2006

Ⅰ、Climate summary

In May, the averaged precipitation of China was about 77.4 mm and 10.4mm more than the climatology of 1971-2000(67.0mm). In some areas of North China, most parts of the Northwest China, mid-west part of the Southwest China as well as mid-west part of Inner Mongolia, Zhejiang province, the monthly precipitations were about 25-100% more than their normal. In contrast, in most part of the Northeast China, eastern Inner Mongolia, western of Xinjiang, middle part of Qinghai, the monthly precipitation were about 25-80% less than their normal.

The monthly mean temperature of China was about 0.7℃ above normal. Except the middle part of Yunnan with 1-2℃ below normal, the monthly mean temperature were all above or nearly their normal in most parts of China. Especially in most parts of Northeast, eastern Inner Mongolia, western Xinjiang and Tibet, Hubei, Hunan, Ningxia and midwest of Shaanxi, the monthly mean temperature were about 1-2℃ above normal.

Ⅱ、 Major climate events

In May, the major climate events are summarized as follows:

1. Rainstorm： Heavy rainfall and induced local flood frequently occurred in southern China, which brought about 38 fatalities, 8 people disappearance and over 3 billion economic losses.

 2. Drought：Drought mitigated in east part of Northwest, North China, Huanghuai Region and central and western Inner Mongolia；But developed in western Northeast China and eastern Inner Mongolia. According to the statistical data on May 10, 2006,  nearly 14 million people areby shortage of drinking water and about 16.3 million hectares of agricultural field was affected by drought.

3. Typhoon The first Typhoon of 2006, “CHANCHU” was landfall the coast area between Raoping and Chenghai in Guangdong on 18 May. Heavy rainfall and strong wind  caused more serious damages in Fujian and Guangdong provinces.

4. Gales or hailstorms  Over 10 provinces and cities were hit by gales or hailstorms, such as, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Guizhou, ect.

5. Sand and dust weather   Total 6 sand and dust weather events were observed in May, As for May, the number of events in 2006 was the most since 2000. The widely-affected sandstorms formed in 15 -18 May,2006.

6. Low temperature and frost   The low temperature and frost occurred  in some regions of Gansu, Qinghai, Yunnan, Guizhou, etc.