Abstract:Sanddust storms in Gansu Province occurred most frequently in summer. The summer sanddust storms concentrated around Minqin, Dingxin and Jinta. The weather patterns for severe sanddust storms in summer in Gansu Province are analyzed. The results show that upper troughs and shear lines and hot lows are main synoptic systems that result in summer sanddust storms. Spring sanddust stor ms are mostly induced by largescale synoptic systems. Before the occurrence of summer sanddust storms, the upperlevel jet currents are not apparent. The sudden wind speed increase of the jet stream happens almost at the same time with a sanddust storm, and that is one of difficulties in summer sanddust storm prediction. The helicity field 8 to 12 hours before sanddust storm occurring is a good indicator in forecasting sanddust storms. The larger the helicity is, the severer the sanddust storm is. But when a sanddust storm and severe precipitation occur concurrently, the value of helicity in the sanddust storm region is obviously less than that in the severe precipitation region.