Important heavy rain events in China from April to October in 2013

Based on daily precipitation data and operational synoptic charts, important heavy rain events in China occurred from April to October in 2013 were selected by comparing them to the 30-year mean precipitation during 1981 to 2010. A survey of the synoptic condition, rainfall duration, rainfall area and accumulative amount of precipitation of these events is presented. Results indicate that there were 184 heavy rain days and 31 important heavy rain events during the study period. In June—July 2013, five regional heavy rainstorm events occurred in the Sichuan Basin. The maximal accumulative precipitation (731 mm) appeared at Dujiangyan station in the basin during 8th to 11th July. In 2013, there were above-normal numbers of landed typhoons, which brought frequent flood disasters to southern China. For example, caused by typhoon "Utor", the maximal daily precipitation of 552 mm appeared at Chaoyang station of Guangzhou province on 17th August in 2013. In July-August, precipitation in northern China was above normal. In northeastern China, frequent heavy rain events led to flash-flood events and caused huge losses in the region.