A review of spatiotemporal variations in temperature and precipitation: Trend analysis, driving mechanisms, and methodological evaluation

Abstract

Temperature and precipitation, as critical climate system components, directly influence ecosystems, agriculture, water resource management, and various aspects of human society. Understanding these change patterns and driving mechanisms is crucial for predicting future climate change and developing effective response strategies. This paper systematically reviews and analyzes the existing literature, comprehensively assessing the spatiotemporal evolution of temperature and precipitation at both global and regional scales and their primary driving factors. This paper begins by summarizing the interannual variations, long-term trends, and seasonal temperature and precipitation patterns, discussing the changing trends in extreme temperature and precipitation events. It then analyzes the main factors influencing temperature and precipitation changes, including atmospheric circulation patterns, oceanic phenomena, human activities, and natural factors. This paper also evaluates the major methodological issues in current research, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of data sources, analytical methods, and the selection of spatiotemporal scales. The review reveals significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity in temperature and precipitation changes, driven by multiple factors. Future research should enhance the understanding of interactions among these factors, improve methodological approaches, and increase the accuracy of climate models. This paper provides a comprehensive reference framework for researchers in related fields and offers scientific evidence for policymaking and climate adaptation practices.