Abstract: Severe wind disaster is one of the most important factors affecting the operation of high-speed trains. Herein, two methods are used to conduct risk assessment alongside the Tianjin-Qinhuangdao High-speed Railway with the aim to identify high-risk areas. One is based on the historical observation data from the meteorological stations along the railway during 2009-2018, while the other one is the high-resolution WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) simulation of processes regarding the typical severe wind weather during the same period. The results showed that there is an obvious seasonal variation of the wind risk along the railway. In addition to the wind intensity that reaches the highest in spring, the wind frequency ranks the first in spring as well, followed by winter and obviously higher than that in summer and autumn. The analysis based on observation data of meteorological stations revealed several high-risk areas: the railway section located in Tianjin Binhai running from southwest to northeast and that located in eastern Tangshan running from west to east. These railway sections are identified also by the WRF simulation of severe wind weather processes, suggesting that the result of WRF simulation is well in line with that from observation data of meteorological stations. The main wind direction along the Tianjin-Qinhuangdao High-speed Railway is northwest in spring and winter and southeast in summer when the wind is at a right angle to the railway section located in Tianjin Binhai. Due to the influence of crosswind on the train, the operational risk of this railway section will be increased under these severe wind conditions.

Key words: maize, sowing date, grain filling characteristics.