Abstract:Based on the data of annual maximum wind speed observed at weather stations from 1975 to 2008, by using the statistical methods of EOF and REOF, the spatial and temporal characteristics of annual maximum wind speed in Jiangsu province have been studied. The results are described as follows: (1) the 34-average maximum wind speed was basically above 11 m/s, the maximum was located in the south of Yancheng and the north of Nantong, the value was above 15 m/s. The annual maximum average wind speed has significant fluctuations and the overall tendency was decreasing. (2) The first mode of EOF for the maximum wind speed showed that in most areas of Jiangsu the value was positive, and that annual maximum wind speeds change had an excellent consistency, and the first coefficient was equivalent to the annual variation of maximum wind speed, at the same time it also had the local characteristics. (3) REOF analysis methods showed that the maximum wind speed in Jiangsu province can be divided into five regions: the northwest region, the southwest region, the southeast region, the middle region, the northeast region of Jiangsu, all regions showed a decreasing tendency, but the degree was various. Meanwhile, the sudden change of annual maximum wind speed was various.