Abstract: Based on monthly precipitation and average temperature data from 13 stations in the Hanjiang River Basin from 1960 to 2017, this paper calculated the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at different time scales, analyzed the temporal and spatial characteristics of meteorological drought in the Hanjiang River Basin, and discussed the causes of meteorological drought in the basin in combination with the atmospheric circulation index. The results show that: (1) The Han River Basin SPEI value has a main period of 3-4a, showing a state of alternating wet and dry. (2) On an annual scale, the frequency of light and middling droughts ranges from 5% to 24%, and is higher in the western regions. In spring, light and moderate droughts occur with a frequency of 6% -19%; in summer, the frequency of light drought is higher in the middle than the surroundings, and the highest frequency is 20%-28%; in autumn, the frequency of drought in the central region is high; in winter, the frequency of drought is generally higher than 10%, but it is mainly light and moderate. (3) On an annual scale, the SPEI value of the Han River Basin decreased at a rate of 0.0021/a, indicating that global warming has little effect on interannual drought conditions in the basin.SPEI values in spring and autumn are significantly correlated with MEI and SOI, and the absolute value of the correlation coefficient is between 0.271-0.422; the SPEI value in summer was significantly correlated with EASM, and the absolute value of the correlation coefficient was between 0.261-0.498; the SPEI value in winter was significantly correlated with AO, NAO, and the absolute value of the correlation coefficient was between 0.220-0.281.