The climate of the Hexi Corridor

Cold wave weather often occurs in the Hexi Corridor in winter and spring. The main source of summer precipitation is the summer monsoon that invades this area. The climate is dry, with drastic changes in heat and cold, and is windy and sandy. From east to west, the annual precipitation decreases and the dryness increases. For example, the annual precipitation in Wuwei is 158.4 mm, and that in Dunhuang is 36.8 mm; the dryness degree to the east of Jiuquan is 4 to 8, and to the west is 8 to 24. Precipitation varies greatly from year to year. Precipitation accounts for 50 to 60% of the annual total in summer, 15 to 25% in spring, 10 to 25% in autumn, and 3 to 16% in winter. There are less clouds and the sunshine hours increase. In most areas, it is 3,000 hours, and in Dunhuang in the west, it is as high as 3,336 hours. The annual average temperature is 5.8~9.3℃, but the absolute maximum temperature can reach 42.8℃ and the absolute minimum temperature is -29.3℃. The difference between the two is more than 72.1℃. The average temperature difference between day and night is about 15℃, and there can be four seasons in one day. Minqin has more than 50 sandstorm days a year, while Anxi has 80 wind days a year with level 8 or above gales, so it is known as the "Wind Bank". The wind direction in the corridor changes. The northwest wind is dominant in Wuwei and Minqin areas; the northeasterly and easterly winds are dominant in Yumen, Anxi, Dunhuang and other places west of Jiayuguan.

Climate The climate of the Hexi Corridor is a continental arid climate. Although there is very little precipitation (annual precipitation is only about 200 mm), other climatic conditions are still very favorable for the development of agriculture.

The local area has few clouds and long sunshine hours. The annual sunshine can reach 2550 to 3500 hours. The light resources are abundant, which is very beneficial to the growth and development of crops. Because it is located in the mid-latitude zone and has a high altitude, there is insufficient heat, but the temperature is relatively high during the crop growing season. In addition, the temperature varies greatly from day to day, which is conducive to the accumulation of crops, especially the accumulation of sugar in melons and fruits.