Abstract:NCAR/NCEP reanalysis daily data with 6 h interval is used for the diagnostic analysis of the isentropic potential vorticity for two processes(process Ⅰ and Ⅱ for short) of strong cold wave in Dec,2008. The result shows that: firstly, the time of cold wave outbreaking can be determined by the turning point of the time curve of low-level potential vorticity disturbance; secondly, there are evident features of the downward spread of high vorticity in both processes when cold wave occurs. The analysis of isentropic surface can be used to follow the track of strong cold air motion in cold waves. Also, the isentropic potential vorticity evolution represents the distribution and activities of cold air at high and low levels. The high value region of isentropic potential vorticity demonstrates the range of cold air while the concentrated region of equal constant potential vorticity lines represents confrontation of warm and cold air. When cold waves outbreak, high potential vorticity transports downward and southward at high level in isentropic surface, so strong cold air of high potential vorticity extrudes. Otherwise, the isobaric surface shows a shape with convex above and concave below, the cyclonic rotation enhances and positive vorticity increases. In process Ⅱ, cold air is supplied again, which at high level transports downward so intensely that the temperature at surface decreases rapidly.