Spatiotemporal Evolution of Meteorological and Hydrological Droughts in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China

Drought is a significant climate-driven hazard that poses major challenges to water security and sustainable development, especially in coastal urban regions where both climate variability and human activities intersect. This study explores the spatiotemporal evolution of meteorological and hydrological droughts in Wenzhou City, China, from 1970 to 2020. The analysis reveals key seasonal and spatial patterns in drought dynamics, highlighting a strong autumn wetting trend and significant interannual and interdecadal variations in hydrological droughts. We find that meteorological droughts are strongly influenced by the East Asian monsoon, while hydrological droughts exhibit prolonged durations and more complex seasonal contrasts, shaped by both climatic and human factors. Furthermore, our results show that drought propagation from meteorological to hydrological droughts is weak to moderate and varies seasonally. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating both meteorological and hydrological indicators for improved drought monitoring and more effective water resource management, especially in rapidly urbanizing coastal cities.