Abstract: Changes of precipitation in the Taiwan area in 1961-2008 was analyzed by using EOF, REOF, M-K abrupt change analysis. The results show that the annual precipitation was great in the Taiwan Island, but far smaller in the Pescadores. The spatial distribution of annual precipitation in the Taiwan Island not only had the coherence in the whole area, but also showed variations from east to west and from south to north. The annual rainfall field in the Taiwan Island can be divided into north, mid-west and southeast sub-regions. The annual precipitation displayed an increasing trend and abrupt changes in the island except the southeast sub-region.

Key words: Taiwan area, precipitation, EOF, REOF, trend analysis, abrupt change analysis