Abstract: The annual and seasonal climate change tendency and climate abrupt change of average soil temperature in latest 40 years were analyzed，by using climate statistical diagnosis analysis method，based on the monthly average soil temperature data of 5-20cm from 25 observation stations in Qinghai province from 1971 to 2010 The results showed that the annual average soil temperature of 5-20cm increased in last 40 years，the max increasing found in Dachaidan region at the rate of 0.79℃/10y（P＜0.01）The annual average soil temperature in levels of 5cm，10cm，15cm，20cm also showed rising trend，which ranged from 0.77℃/10y to 0.82℃/10y（P＜0.01）The max increasing also found in Dachaidan，and the trend was obviously from 1981 in 10cm soil level The average seasonal shallow soil temperature in last 40 years increased at the rate of 0.30-0.53℃/10y（P＜0.05），the max increasing found in summer and the min increasing found in winter Climate abrupt change occurred in 1997 for most stations，and there was a clear positive correlation between shallow soil temperature，surface temperature and air temperature The air temperature and surface temperature rising might resulted in the shallow soil temperature increasing The results could provide references to optimal utilize climate resources and to adjust agricultural structure

Key words: Qinghai province, Shallow soil temperature, Climate characteristic, Climate abrupt