Changing Characteristics on Dust Storm in Jiangsu

Based on observation data of dust storm for the years 1960-2006 from weather stations across Jiangsu, this essay provides a statistical analysis on the characteristics and trends, including the timeframes and regions of the incidences of four weather phenomena: sandstorm, blowing sand, floating dust and haze in an effort to better understand the trend of dust storm changes in Jiangsu Province, China. The result indicates that, on average, the incidences of sandstorm, indi- cated with the total number of days in a year in Jiangsu is low and on a declining trend. With the improvement of the environment, no sandstorm has been observed for many years. In general, those of blowing sand and floating dust have been reducing, and showing a significant improvement during the recent years. What should be noted, however, is the accelerated increase in haze incidences, particularly, in Southern Jiangsu.