Abstract:
Based on historical daily precipitation records during 1893−2023, long-term variation characteristics of the precipitation and extreme rainfall events in Xiamen were investigated. The dataset, derived from the Fujian Provincial Meteorological Bureau’s printed archives and modern instrumental observations, was digitized and validated to ensure accuracy. Analysis of this century-long dataset reveals notable interdecadal fluctuations in annual precipitation, with pronounced peaks during the 1930s and the 1980s. Annual precipitation totals and the number of rainy days show an overall upward trend. Seasonal analysis indicates that spring and summer contribute most to the annual total, with significant increases also observed in summer and autumn. Despite these increases, the Mann-Kendall trend test suggests no statistically significant long-term trend in annual precipitation, highlighting the dominant role of natural variability. The frequency of extreme rainfall events shows substantial interdecadal variation and has risen markedly since the 1960s, reflecting the growing influence of climate change. These findings provide valuable insights for improving operational weather forecasting and enhancing our understanding of regional climate change mechanisms.