The evolution characteristics of the spring sand-dust weather frequency (SDWF) in northern China and its associated atmospheric circulations are analyzed. The signals for the prediction of the SDWF are explored by using the sea surface temperature and the sea ice concentration in the previous autumn as the external forcing factors. Besides, the influence of the rainfall over the dust-storm source regions in the previous summer is also studied. A multi-factor prediction model for the SDWF in northern China is established and applied in the operational forecasting in the National Climate Center of China. The results show that this model performs best for North China and fairly well for Northwest China by involving the precipitation in the previous autumn.

sand-dust weather  /  climate trend  /  a multi-factor prediction model