Changing characteristics of precipitation during 1960-2012 in Inner Mongolia, northern China

Based on daily precipitation records at 46 meteorological stations in Inner Mongolia, northern China, the space and time changes in precipitation characteristics are analyzed by defining 15 precipitation indices. The Mann-Kendall trend test is used to detect trends in the precipitation indices series. Results indicate that: (1) Inner Mongolia is dominated by decreasing precipitation, and precipitation deficit may further deteriorate the shortage of water resources; (2) precipitation extremes are not dominant in this province, and most extreme precipitation indices are generally decreasing; (3) wet spells with short duration are prevalent in this province and the occurrence and fractional contribution of short-duration wet spells are increasing; (4) daily precipitation events with light and moderate intensity are dominant in this province and the occurrence and fractional contribution of moderate precipitation are increasing; (5) a higher risk of droughts can be expected in summer and precipitation in winter and spring is increasing, which imply evident seasonality and seasonal shifts of precipitation changes within this province.