Abstract: Based on meteorological data from 31 stations in the upper reaches of Hanjiang river during 1960-2011,the spatio temporal characteristics and regional difference of 4 typical subareas(Hanzhong,Ankang,Shangzhou,Shiyan)was analyzed by using of linear regressive analysis,Mann-Kendall mutation test,spatial interpolation and wavelet analysisThe results showed that the spatial distribution of annual precipitation displayed a diminishing scale from south to north in the area The maxmum value was in Hanzhong and the minimum value was in Shangzhou The difference of annual precipitation among subareas decreased It was found that the change of precipitation mainly was affected by the monsoon climate and small scale geomorphic units, and the precipitation in spring and in winter displayed a diminishing scale from southeast to northwest, the precipitation in summer and in autumn displayed a diminishing scale from southwest to northeast;but there was slightly difference in the subareas The linear trend of annual precipitation was not significant in the area and subareas The linear decrease trend was significant in spring (P<0.05)Reduced precipitation of Shangzhou and Shiyan was the biggest contribution to the precipitation in spring The mutation test of annual precipitation was not significant,and the precipitation in spring and in autumn was less mutated significantly in the area The precipitation in Shangzhou and Shiyan was less mutated significantly in spring,and the precipitation in Ankang was less mutated significantly in autumn The first main period of annual precipitation and precipitation in spring and in autumn was 30y in the area and subareas,but the period of precipitation in summer and in winter was different in the area The change of precipitation could provide scientific reference for the normal operation of the middle route of SouthNorth water diversion project in the area

Key words: Precipitation, M-K test, Wavelet analysis, Spatial interpolation, Upper reaches of Hanjiang river