Spatial-Temporal Characteristics of Regional Extreme Low Temperature Events in China during 1960-2009

An objective identification technique is used to detect regional extreme low temperature events （RELTE） in China during 1960-2009. Their spatial-temporal characteristics are analyzed. The results indicate that the lowest temperatures of RELTE, together with the frequency distribution of the geometric latitude center, exhibit a double-peak feature. The RELTE frequently happen near the geometric area of 30°N and 42°N before the mid-1980s, but shifted afterwards to 30°N. During 1960-2009, the frequency~ intensity, and the maximum impacted area of RELTE show overall decreasing trends. Due to the contribution of RELTE, with long duratioh and large spatial range, which account for 10% of the total RELTE, there is a significant turning point in the late 1980s. A change to a much more steady state after the late 1990s is identified. In addition, the integrated indices of RELTE are classified and analyzed.