Review of studies about Central Asian vortex and its influence on heavy precipitation in Xinjiang

The Central Asian vortex is a cut-off vortex system with regional characteristics formed under the background of arid climate and unique geographical structure in Central Asia. It has an important impact on the weather and climate in Xinjiang, and even the weather and climate in the Middle East of China. Since 1960s, Chinese meteorologists have conducted preliminary research on its synoptic characteristics. Until 2000, with the continuous enrichment of observation data and the development of meteorological theory, Chinese meteorologists have conducted in-depth research on its definition, classification, activity characteristics, formation mechanism and its impacts on heavy precipitation in Xinjiang. This study reviews and summarizes the research on the Central Asian vortex system and its influence mechanism on precipitation in Xinjiang in recent 20 years. This study also reviews the synoptic condition and water vapor characteristics of typical rainstorm weather, the mesoscale system related to rainstorm and short-term heavy rainfall, and the synergy of rainstorm multi-scale weather system under the background of the Central Asian vortex, and puts forward the scientific problems that need to be further studied in the end.