Abstract: The water vapor content and precipitation in hydrological cycle process are studied on basin scale to provide a basis for the comprehensive management of river basin and the development and utilization of air water resources. Based on topographic data ASTER GDEM V2,ERA-Interim monthly reanalysis data and precipitation data,we studied the temporal and spatial characteristics of water vapor content and precipitation over the upper reaches of Shigu Section in the Jinsha River basin,and discussed the correlation between the two. Our research reveals that the water vapor content over the study area displays a decreasing trend from south to north and from east to west,an oblique “U” shape trend in the southwest,and a positive “U” shape in tthe southeast. The average precipitation over the years has gradually increased from northwest to southeast. The annual average water vapor content and precipitation are on the rise. The water vapor content and precipitation in summer are the largest,followed by those in autumn,spring and winter in sequence. The average monthly water vapor content and precipitation for many years distribute in a unimodal type. Moreover,the annual average water vapor content is weakly correlated with precipitation,and the correlation differs significantly among four seasons. The monthly correlation is more instructive.

Key words: Jinsha River basin, atmospheric water vapor content, precipitation, correlation, comprehensive management of basin, development and utilization of water resources