Based on the available data from surface synoptic reports (8 times every day),the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of sand/dust storms in China in the spring of 2002 are analyzed.The results show that there were mainly twelve dust storm weather processes including five severe dust storm events in China,among which the event on March 18-22 had the largest area and highest intensity.There were three high-frequency centers in northern China in the spring of 2002.Compared with the average of the past 47 years,the number of sand/dust storm days in the spring of 2002 was less than the average value in most parts in Northern China,except for Hunshan Dak sandy land and it’s fringes.Additionally,it has been found that most dust storm weather processes concentrated in early spring (from March to mid April) of 2002.The reasons were that in the earlier months the temperature was higher and the precipitation was less than the normal value,therefore the soil moisture was decreasing and soil surface was drier in northern China.When the cold air outbroke and arrived frequently from March to mid April,more dust storms and severe dust storms occurred.From the middle dekad of April to the first dekad of May,several obvious precipitation processes occurred in northern China.After that,the cold air outbreaks were weak and their positions were also to east.