Abstract: Based on the daily precipitation observation data at 7 stations of Tianshui during 1951 to 2010, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy rain events in Tianshui were analyzed. The results indicated that: the frequency of heavy rain events was higher from the early 1960s to the late 1980s, and mainly concentration occurred in July and August, accounts for about 52.6% and 29.8% of the total respectively. In addition, the spatial distribution of heavy rain events in Tianshui could be summarized as follows characteristics, the occur frequency of heavy rain events was higher in eastern region of Tianshui than that in the western region, like Qingshui and Zhangjiachuan. The frequency of heavy rain events was closely related to topography. Synoptic systems such as Northwest China vortex and west pacific subtropical high deeply affected the formation and intensity of the heavy rain events in Tianshui.