The Three Gorges Region (TGR) of the Yangtze River spans Chongqing Municipality and Hubei Province, serving as a vital corridor connecting western and central China. The climate in the TGR features four distinct seasons with abundant precipitation and synchronized rain–heat periods. The climatic conditions in the TGR directly impact the safety of navigation in the Yangtze River, as well as the basin's agricultural production patterns and clean energy supply, all of which are crucial to regional socioeconomic development and ecological conservation. Therefore, continuous monitoring of climate and extreme weather events in the TGR holds significant importance.
Recently, a research team led by Prof. Xianyan Chen from the National Climate Center published a detailed report in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters (AOSL), outlining the major climate and anomalies in the TGR during 2024, along with significant weather and climate events. The report provides essential observational data and analysis for climate assessment and research in the TGR.
The research team pointed out that in 2024, the annual mean temperature in the TGR set a new historic record, exceeding the norm by 1.2°C. Both spring and autumn recorded their highest temperatures since 1961. Meanwhile, the number of high-temperature days also reached a historical peak, accompanied by the occurrence of extreme high-temperature events characterized by exceptionally intense and prolonged duration. These concurrent record-breaking phenomena collectively demonstrate a clear acceleration of climate warming trends.
Additionally, the results also showed that the annual rainfall in the TGR was 11.2% below normal, yet the number of heavy-rain days were slightly higher than normal. Notably, heavy rainfall (including severe convective weather) events occurred earlier than normal, with more frequent extreme precipitation events.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that the National Climate Center has released its annual climate report for the TGR in AOSL. The report provides an important scientific basis for understanding regional climate change patterns and mitigating meteorological disasters. Furthermore, it provides essential data support for the operation, dispatch, and regional disaster prevention efforts related to the Three Gorges Project.
