| Summary: | Potential evapotranspiration (<i>PET</i>) is a crucial variable for implementing adaptation measures to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change on water resources. In the context of global warming, <i>PET</i> is essential for predicting water resource supply and demand, guiding irrigation and water management decisions. However, there is limited understanding of the spatiotemporal changes in <i>PET</i> and its driving factors in the hyper-arid regions of Northwest China. In this study, the Hargreaves model was employed to estimate <i>PET</i> in the Hami region from 1991 to 2020. By combining relevant climate data and partial correlation analysis, we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of <i>PET</i> within the study area and analyzed the factors influencing these patterns. The results showed the following: (1) From 1991 to 2020, the overall <i>PET</i> in the Hami region demonstrated a tendency to rise. The interannual trend rates of <i>PET</i> for the full year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter were 0.933, 2.744, 0.906, 0.488, and −0.406 mm·a-1, respectively. Despite a decreasing trend in winter <i>PET</i>, the other seasonal <i>PET</i> values and the annual <i>PET</i> values exhibited an increasing trend. (2) The spatial distribution of both annual and seasonal <i>PET</i> showed significant regional heterogeneity, following a consistent pattern marked by lower values in the central part and higher values in the surrounding areas. The southern region tended to have relatively high <i>PET</i>, while the northwestern region experienced comparatively low <i>PET</i>. (3) Partial correlation analysis indicated significant differences in the impact of various climatic factors on <i>PET</i>. The maximum temperature emerged as the dominant factor influencing annual <i>PET</i> variation, while precipitation played a leading role in influencing autumn <i>PET</i> variation. This study underscores the influence of climate change on <i>PET</i> in the Hami region, contributing to an enhanced comprehension of <i>PET</i> variations.
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