Hazard assessment and regionalization of snowstorms in Heilongjiang Province from 1961 to 2015

Publication date: Available online 7 January 2020Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/CAuthor(s): Fan Zhang, Lijuan Zhang, Yutao Huang, Nan Wang, Yongsheng LiAbstractHazard risk has become an important issue because global warming will lead to an increased risk of extreme weather and climate events. Based on the daily snow precipitation of 63 cities and counties in Heilongjiang Province, China from 1961 to 2015, the probability of each level of snowstorm was calculated based on information diffusion theory, and a hazard index model was established using snowstorm probability and the amount of snow precipitation as two hazard-inducing indicators of snowstorm. Next, hazard assessment and regionalization of snowstorms was performed for Heilongjiang Province from 1961 to 2015. The results showed that under the background of global warming, the probability of moderate snowstorm, heavy snowstorm, and severe snowstorm in Heilongjiang Province increased over time. There was a particularly significant increase for moderate snowstorms at a rate of 20%/10a; moderate snowstorms, heavy snowstorms, and severe snowstorms had a 3-year, 4-year, and 11-year return period, respectively. The precipitation level of each snowstorm increased over the decades especially for the precipitation in moderate snowstorms (29 mm/10a). The precipitation of each level of snowstorm has increased significantly since the beginning of the 21st century. In addition, the hazard of each level of s...

Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - January 8, 2020 Category: Science Source Type: research