Abstract:Based on the daily temperature and precipitation data of 92 national meteorological stations in Xinjiang during 1961-2019, the drought process and drought intensity in Xinjiang were analyzed through the meteorological Drought comprehensive Monitoring Index (MCI). The results showed that: (1) The spatial distribution characteristics of the annual average dry days in Xinjiang were as follows: The annual average dry days of light and moderate drought were mostly distributed in the northwest and a few in the southeast of the study area. The average number of drought days decreased from west to east along the axis of Kunlun Mountains. The average number of drought days in northern Xinjiang was larger than that in southern Xinjiang. (2) The annual average drought intensity increased from southeast to northwest in Xinjiang. The spatial difference of drought intensity was small in spring and summer, but large in autumn. (3) The temporal variation characteristics of drought intensity in Xinjiang tended to be consistent with its affected area; Based on the spatial and temporal analysis of REOF, Xinjiang is divided into three modes: the first mode is opposite in the southern and northern regions, the second mode is opposite in the eastern and western regions, and the third mode is wet in the Yili Valley, and the variation trend of drought intensity of each mode is different with time.