Abstract:A discrimination method for extreme hourly precipitation forecasts in Nanjing based on the circulation background and environmental parameters is developed in this paper by statistically analyzing the climatic characteristics, synoptic patterns, environmental conditions, and forecast thresholds using hourly observed precipitation data and ERA5 reanalysis gridded datasets for the past 30 years. The results suggest that extreme hourly precipitation frequency has increased over the past 30 years, with a concentration around June to August. The daily variation exhibits a "double peak and double valley" feature, with summertime afternoon to evening occurrences predominating and rising morning occurrences in the other months. Precipitation in south Nanjing is more likely to be augmented in the morning as opposed to north-central Nanjing, where it happens more frequently and tends to occur in the late afternoon and evening. Extreme hourly precipitation can be subjectively categorized into seven synoptic patterns: northwest trough type, westerly short-wave trough type, plateau trough or south branch trough type, north cold vortex with southwest airflow type, northeast cold vortex with northwest airflow type, between mid-latitude and subtropical highs type, typhoon type. In various meteorological situations, environmental parameters have features that change substantially. The weather conceptual model and environmental parameter characteristics are integrated to establish the extreme hourly precipitation discrimination method in Nanjing, which provides support for the heavy precipitation short-time forecast and nowcasting in Nanjing.