Based on the Penman-Monteith equation, the sensitivities of potential evapotranspiration to the maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, and sunshine duration were analyzed using the global sensitivity method at 12 meteorological stations in four climatic regions of China. The results indicate that(a)ranks of the sensitivity of the potential evapotranspiration to meteorological factors were different in various climatic regions and seasons. Sunshine duration had the greatest influence on potential evapotranspiration in summer, while the maximum temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were sensitive in winter, and the minimum temperature was insensitive throughout the year. (b)From the middle temperate and semi-humid area to the plateau temperate semi-arid area, north subtropical humid area, and south subtropical humid area, the impact of sunshine duration on potential evapotranspiration presented an increasing tendency, and the impact of wind speed on potential evapotranspiration decreased. (c)The results were significantly different with use of the global and local sensitivity methods, and the ranking of the sensitivity of potential evapotranspiration to meteorological factors with use of the local method was related to the selected values of the meteorological factors.