TITLE:
Multi-Scale Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Near-Surface Wind Fields in Xinjiang, China
AUTHORS:
Hongliang Rong, Jing Zhang, Shanshan Chen, Peng Fan, Xuzhi Zhu, Hui Qiao
KEYWORDS:
Multi-Scale, Spatiotemporal Characteristics, Near-Surface Wind, Xinjiang
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.4,
April
28,
2026
ABSTRACT: Xinjiang, located in the arid and semi-arid region of northwestern China, is characterized by complex terrain and strong near-surface winds that play a crucial role in dust emission, atmospheric dispersion, wind energy utilization, and transportation safety. However, a comprehensive understanding of wind variability across different temporal scales remains limited. In this study, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is applied to near-surface wind vector fields and total wind speed over Xinjiang during 1995-2024 at sub-daily (hourly), daily, and annual time scales. The leading EOF modes and their corresponding principal components are analyzed to reveal dominant spatial patterns, temporal evolution, and associated physical interpretations. Results indicate a clear scale dependence of wind variability: hourly variability is dominated by diurnal thermal forcing and terrain-induced circulations, daily variability reflects seasonal and synoptic-scale modulation, and annual variability highlights interannual to decadal climate influences. Differences between wind vector and wind speed EOFs further emphasize the importance of directional variability in shaping regional wind dynamics. These findings provide a multi-scale perspective on wind field variability over Xinjiang and offer scientific support for wind-related climate assessment and applied meteorological services in arid regions.