Abstract  

   In 2000(from December 1999 to November 2000), unusual climate events occurred frequently in China, and the meteorological disasters were more severe than normal. In particular, there occurred a severe nation-wide drought in extensive areas in a long period, which made 2000 the most arid year ever since 1949 and led to great loss to national economy, especially to the agricultural production. In addition, the winter low temperature and cool injuries, spring sandstorms, summer hot and fall connective rain also caused serious influences. Meanwhile, the rain-storms, floods, typhoons and hails had relatively slight influences. On the whole, the climate condition in 2000 was slightly worse than normal in view of the national agricultural production, and near normal in view of other national economic sections.

   Annual rainfall in most parts of China was near or less than normal in 2000. In winter, the rainfall in most areas was near or above normal. From spring, rainfall was continuously less in most areas, especially in North China and areas between Huanghe River and Huaihe River, and widespread severe drought occurred in northern parts of the country. In summer, rainfall was still deficit in most areas, with spring-to-summer drought occurring in most parts of North China and the east part of Northwest China, severe summer drought occurring in Northeast China, summer drought occurring in the mid and lower reaches of the Chang Jiang River as well as in some parts of Southwest China and South China. In flood season, no continuous rain-storms appeared in large areas, with rainfall mainly occurred in the reaches of the Huaihe River and their near areas, which resulted in less loss than normal. In the southern parts of China, connective rain was evident in fall.

   Annual temperature was near or higher than normal in most parts of China in 2000. In winter, the continuous warmer weather changed to normal or slight warmer one, and severe low temperature as well as freezing injuries occurred in some areas of the southern parts of China. In spring, temperature in most parts of China was near or slightly above normal, with no spring cold spell or late spring cold occurred. In summer, temperature was higher in extensive areas, and scorching days appeared continuously in most areas. In fall, temperature was near normal, basically, no fall frosts appeared and the cold dews wind in the southern areas was not evident.

   In the spring, the dust devil weather occurred frequently in northern parts of China with a high frequency and broad influencing areas seldom seen in recent 50 years.

   In the year, totally 24 typhoons were observed on the Northwest Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, among which 5 landed on China, which was less than normal. The loss caused by typhoons was near normal. Local intensive convective weather such as hails and tornados were obviously less than normal, which caused less loss consequently. System in the West Part of China.