Abstract:Using the NCEP 1°×1° reanalysis data, a snowstorm in northern Xinjiang from March 19 to 20 in 2009 was analyzed, and the application of wet potential vorticity was discussed specially. The results showed that there are 3 vapor source of snowstorm, and there are obvious relationship between negative divergence in lower layers, northward inclined vorticity distribution present a up negative and down positive appearance, equivalent potential temperature rise steeply intensive belt, rise velocity area and the falling area of snowstorm. This snowstorm occurred in a area of MPV1 positive and amplify distinctly, and absolute value mushroom and isoline intensive area of MPV2. MPV1 amplify down and atmosphere convective instability energy release. Absolute value of MPV2 at low level magnify and atmosphere wet baroclinicity enhance. It is a important reason that the development of down-sliding slantwise vorticity for the snowstorm formation.