Abstract  [Aim]  To investigate the temporal dynamics of carabid beetle (Carabidae) communities, and how this is affected by climatic factors, in subalpine forests of southern Gansu. [Methods]  Responses of the dominant group were compared at different times to provide a scientific basis for environmental monitoring and the protection of carabid beetle diversity. Pitfall traps were used to collect beetles in first half of June (June-E), second half of June (June-L), first half of July (July-E), second half of July (July-L), first half of August (Aug.-E), second half of August (Aug.-L) and first half of September (Sept.⁃E) between 2018 and 2019. Captured carabid beetles were classified and identified in a laboratory, and their dominance, diversity and similarity indices determined. [Results]  A total of 2 418 adult carabid beetles from 33 species and 16 genera were collected and identified. Among these, Chlaenius, Pterostichus, Straneostichus, Cychrus and Carabus were the dominant groups. The abundance and diversity of carabid beetles underwent a unimodal change over time, with both peaking in late July. Temporal dynamics had a significant impact on the number of individuals, species, Shannon-Winner diversity index (H′) and Peilou evenness index (J) (Q_6,28 = 30.994; P < 0.000; F_6,28 = 111.250, P < 0.05; Q_6,28 = 30.994, P <0.000; Q_6,28 = 30.994, P < 0.001). A correlation analysis (RDA) indicates that climatic factors such as average air temperature, surface temperature and rainfall, followed by relative humidity, were the main factors affecting the temporal dynamics of the carabid beetle community. Surface temperature and average air temperature were the most important factors affecting the dominant groups. [Conclusion]  There is a significant linear relationship between the species diversity, abundance and occurrence of carabid beetles in the subalpine forests of southern Gansu. Temperature is the most important factor affecting the temporal distribution of the carabid beetle community.