On basis of daily precipitation data from 12 raingauge stations over the CircumBeibuGulf region of Guangxi from 1961 to 2011

the spatialtemporal variation characteristics of precipitation pattern were analyzed. The incidence rate and contribution rate of precipitation are defined and used to assess the spatial and temporal variation of precipitation pattern. And the MannKendall test method is used to discuss the trend of precipitation pattern. The results show that: ① The incidence rate of precipitation events for different durations decreases exponentially with the increase of precipitation durations

while the corresponding contribution rate firstly increases and then decreases; As far as disaster is concerned

precipitation events for 3~4 d are most likely to trigger flood disaster. The spatial distribution of precipitation events for different durations has a similar variation trend such as 1~2 d and ≥10 d with great difference and 3~9 d with little difference. ② The incidence rate for different grades decreases with the increase of precipitation grade

while the corresponding contribution rate is increasing；The incidence rate and the contribution rate of light rain events are lower in southern region (Bei hai

Qinzhou and Dongxing)

while torrential rain events are higher than other regions. ③ Precipitation events for different durations throughout the region have a similar variation trend such as 1~2 d and ≥6 d showing a downward trend and 3~5 d showing an upward trend. Light

heavy and torrential rains throughout the region have a similar variation trend such as heavy and torrential rains with an upward trend and light rain with a downward trend; while the opposite trend is found for the incidence rate and the contribution rate of moderate rain events

showing upward and downward trends

respectively.