Differences in Cloud Vertical Structures between the Tibetan Plateau and Eastern China Plains during Rainy Season as Measured by CloudSat/CALIPSO

Cloud vertical structures over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and Eastern China Plains (ECP) were analyzed by using data in rainy seasons from 2006 to 2009, in order to clarify the cloud development over adjacent regions but with distinct topographies. Results indicate that the largest occurrences of cloud top height over the TP are at 7-8 km above mean sea level, which is about 4 km lower than that over the ECP. Mixed-phase clouds dominated more than 30% over the TP, while it is lower than 10% over the ECP. The infrequent mixed-phase clouds over the ECP are attributed to the unique dynamic and moisture situations over the downstream areas of the TP. Ice clouds have similar occurrences over the two regions. The prominent distinctions are manifested by the probability density of cloud thickness. The probability density of cloud thickness around 4–8 km is about 2% higher over the TP than the ECP. However, there is almost no ice cloud thicker than 10 km over the TP, while it is about 1% over the ECP. Compared with those over the ECP, every cloud layer within multilayered clouds is generally higher and thinner over the TP, which is closely related to the elevated surface and the resulting thinner troposphere. The significant differences in cloud vertical structures between the TP and the ECP present in this study emphasize that topographical characteristics and the resulting moisture and circulation conditions have strong impacts on the cloud vertical structures.

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Comparison of mixed-phase clouds over the Arctic and the Tibetan Plateau: seasonality and vertical structure of cloud radiative effects

Climate Dynamics ◽

10.1007/s00382-020-05257-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (11-12) ◽

pp. 4811-4822

Author(s):

Yafei Yan ◽

Xiaolin Liu ◽

Yimin Liu ◽

Jianhua Lu

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Vertical Structure ◽

Mixed Phase ◽

The Arctic ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Radiative Effects ◽

Cloud Radiative Effects ◽

Mixed Phase Clouds

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Numerical study of effects of synoptic‐scale disturbances at high and low latitudes on mean summer precipitation over north‐eastern China and the Tibetan Plateau

International Journal of Climatology ◽

10.1002/joc.7093 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chenyu Wang ◽

Suxiang Yao

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Numerical Study ◽

Eastern China ◽

Summer Precipitation ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Synoptic Scale ◽

North Eastern ◽

Low Latitudes

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Dynamic and Thermodynamic Relations of Distinctive Stratus Clouds on the Lee Side of the Tibetan Plateau in the Cold Season

Journal of Climate ◽

10.1175/jcli-d-13-00009.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (21) ◽

pp. 8378-8391 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Yi Zhang ◽

Rucong Yu ◽

Jian Li ◽

Weihua Yuan ◽

Minghua Zhang

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Large Scale ◽

Eastern China ◽

Cold Season ◽

Water Vapor Transport ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Primary Role ◽

Moist Air ◽

Low Level ◽

Stratus Clouds

Abstract Given the large discrepancies that exist in climate models for shortwave cloud forcing over eastern China (EC), the dynamic (vertical motion and horizontal circulation) and thermodynamic (stability) relations of stratus clouds and the associated cloud radiative forcing in the cold season are examined. Unlike the stratus clouds over the southeastern Pacific Ocean (as a representative of marine boundary stratus), where thermodynamic forcing plays a primary role, the stratus clouds over EC are affected by both dynamic and thermodynamic factors. The Tibetan Plateau (TP)-forced low-level large-scale lifting and high stability over EC favor the accumulation of abundant saturated moist air, which contributes to the formation of stratus clouds. The TP slows down the westerly overflow through a frictional effect, resulting in midlevel divergence, and forces the low-level surrounding flows, resulting in convergence. Both midlevel divergence and low-level convergence sustain a rising motion and vertical water vapor transport over EC. The surface cold air is advected from the Siberian high by the surrounding northerly flow, causing low-level cooling. The cooling effect is enhanced by the blocking of the YunGui Plateau. The southwesterly wind carrying warm, moist air from the east Bay of Bengal is uplifted by the HengDuan Mountains via topographical forcing; the midtropospheric westerly flow further advects the warm air downstream of the TP, moistening and warming the middle troposphere on the lee side of the TP. The low-level cooling and midlevel warming together increase the stability. The favorable dynamic and thermodynamic large-scale environment allows for the formation of stratus clouds over EC during the cold season.

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Modeling study on the transport of summer dust and anthropogenic aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-15-12581-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (21) ◽

pp. 12581-12594 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Y. Liu ◽

Y. Sato ◽

R. Jia ◽

Y. Xie ◽

J. Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Radiation Transport ◽

Eastern China ◽

Taklimakan Desert ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Northern Slope ◽

Southern Slope ◽

Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽

Anthropogenic Aerosol ◽

Dust Aerosols

Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is located at the juncture of several important natural and anthropogenic aerosol sources. Satellites have observed substantial dust and anthropogenic aerosols in the atmosphere during summer over the TP. These aerosols have distinct effects on the earth's energy balance, microphysical cloud properties, and precipitation rates. To investigate the transport of summer dust and anthropogenic aerosols over the TP, we combined the Spectral Radiation-Transport Model for Aerosol Species (SPRINTARS) with a non-hydrostatic regional model (NHM). The model simulation shows heavily loaded dust aerosols over the northern slope and anthropogenic aerosols over the southern slope and the east of the TP. The dust aerosols are primarily mobilized around the Taklimakan Desert, where a portion of the aerosols are transported eastward due to the northwesterly current; simultaneously, a portion of the particles are transported southward when a second northwesterly current becomes northeasterly because of the topographic blocking of the northern slope of the TP. Because of the strong upward current, dust plumes can extend upward to approximately 7–8 km a.s.l. over the northern slope of the TP. When a dust event occurs, anthropogenic aerosols that entrained into the southwesterly current via the Indian summer monsoon are transported from India to the southern slope of the TP. Simultaneously, a large amount of anthropogenic aerosol is also transported from eastern China to the east of the TP by easterly winds. An investigation on the transport of dust and anthropogenic aerosols over the plateau may provide the basis for determining aerosol impacts on summer monsoons and climate systems.

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Association of Climate-related Total Atmospheric Energy Anomalies in the Tibetan Plateau with Haze in Eastern China

Aerosol and Air Quality Research ◽

10.4209/aaqr.2020.02.0044 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 810-819

Author(s):

Xiaodan Ma ◽

Xiangde Xu ◽

Xinghong Cheng ◽

Tianliang Zhao ◽

Lili Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Eastern China ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Atmospheric Energy

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Modeling study on the transport of summer dust and anthropogenic aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-15-15005-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 15005-15037 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Y. Liu ◽

Y. Sato ◽

R. Jia ◽

Y. Xie ◽

J. Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Radiation Transport ◽

Model Simulation ◽

Eastern China ◽

Taklimakan Desert ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Northern Slope ◽

Southern Slope ◽

Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽

Dust Aerosols

Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is located at the juncture of several important natural and anthropogenic aerosol sources. Satellites have observed substantial dust and anthropogenic aerosols in the atmosphere during summer over the TP. These aerosols have distinct effects on the earth's energy balance, microphysical cloud properties, and precipitation rates. To investigate the transport of summer dust and anthropogenic aerosols over the TP, we combined the Spectral Radiation-Transport Model for Aerosol Species (SPRINTARS) with a non-hydrostatic regional model (NHM). The model simulation shows heavily loaded dust aerosols over the northern slope and anthropogenic aerosols over the southern slope and to the east of the TP. The dust aerosols are primarily mobilized around the Taklimakan Desert, where a portion of the aerosols are transported eastward due to the northwesterly current; simultaneously, a portion of the particles are transported northward when a second northwesterly current becomes northeasterly because of the topographic blocking of the northern slope of the TP. Because of the strong upward current, dust plumes can extend upward to approximately 7–8 km a.s.l. over the northern slope of the TP. When a dust event occurs, anthropogenic aerosols that entrain into the southwesterly current via the Indian summer monsoon are transported from India to the southern slope of the TP. Simultaneously, a large amount of anthropogenic aerosols is also transported from eastern China to east of the TP by easterly winds. An investigation on the transport of dust and anthropogenic aerosols over the plateau may provide the basis for determining aerosol impacts on summer monsoons and climate systems.

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Climate modulation of the Tibetan Plateau on haze in China

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-16-1365-2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 1365-1375 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

X. Xu ◽

T. Zhao ◽

F. Liu ◽

S. L. Gong ◽

D. Kristovich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Large Scale ◽

Climate Changes ◽

Eastern China ◽

Atmospheric Stability ◽

Lower Troposphere ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Thermal Forcing ◽

Haze Pollution

Abstract. Rapid increases in pollutant emissions in conjunction with stagnant meteorological conditions result in haze pollution in China. Recent frequent haze in China has attracted worldwide attention. Here we show a relationship between the haze events and Tibetan Plateau (TP)'s environment and climate changes. Based on observational data taken over recent decades, we identify central-eastern China (CEC) as a climatological large-scale “susceptible region” of frequent haze, which is harbored by the TP with its impact on midlatitude westerly winds. The observational and modeling studies demonstrate that the interannual variations in the thermal forcing of TP are positively correlated with the incidences of wintertime haze over CEC. Further analysis indicates that the climate warming of the TP induced changes in atmospheric circulation, driving frequent haze events in CEC. The frequent haze occurrences in CEC are consistent with decreasing winter monsoon winds, intensifying downward air flows and increasing atmospheric stability in the lower troposphere over the CEC in association with upstream plateau's thermal anomalies. Therefore, variations of haze in China are related to mechanical and thermal forcing by the TP. Our results also suggest that implications of the large TP topography for environment and climate changes should be taken into account for air pollution mitigation policies in China.

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Palaeomagnetic constraints on Himalayan-Tibetan tectonic evolution

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences ◽

10.1098/rsta.1988.0084 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 326 (1589) ◽

pp. 177-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

South China ◽

Large Scale ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Eastern China ◽

Crustal Thickening ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

South China Block ◽

The South ◽

Palaeomagnetic Data

Palaeomagnetic data from the Lhasa, Qiangtang and Kunlun Terranes of the Tibetan Plateau are used with data from stable Eurasia, eastern China and Indochina, to test different models of crustal thickening in the Tibetan Plateau, to attempt a Carboniferous palaeogeographic reconstruction, and to calculate the relative motion between the South China Block and the Indochina Block. The data suggest that since the onset of the India—Eurasia collision, the Lhasa Terrane has moved 2000 + 800 km north with respect to stable Eurasia. This indicates that strong internal defomation must have taken place in southern Eurasia since the collision, and thus challenges the model of large-scale underthrusting of the Indian subcontinent beneath the Tibetan Plateau as the mechanism for crustal thickening in Tibet. Palaeomagnetic results from the Kunlun Terrane show that it was at 22° south latitude during the Carboniferous. A Carboniferous reconstruction is presented in which the Kunlun and Qiangtang Terranes, several Indochina terranes, and the North and South China Blocks are grouped together. These units of continental crust all share the specific tropical and subtropical Cathaysian flora, and the group is therefore called the Cathaysian composite continent. To test the model of propagating extrusion tectonics, we have used newly available palaeomagnetic results from South China and Indochina to calculate probable displacements. This exercise suggests a rotation of about 8° of Indochina with respect to the South China Block that is smaller than the predicted rotation of 40°, A large eastward translation of the South China Block relative to the Indochina Block of about 1500 km is consistent with the palaeomagnetic data.

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Spatiotemporal Decompositions of Summer Drought in China and Its Teleconnection with Global Sea Surface Temperatures during 1901–2012

Journal of Climate ◽

10.1175/jcli-d-16-0405.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (16) ◽

pp. 6391-6412 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Yaxin Zhang ◽

Mengxi Wu ◽

Delong Li ◽

Yonggang Liu ◽

Shuangcheng Li

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Eastern China ◽

Northern China ◽

Sea Surface ◽

Drought Severity ◽

Summer Drought ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Sea Surface Temperatures ◽

Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽

Surface Temperatures

The teleconnection between the summer (June–August) Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) in China and seasonal global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) is investigated at both spatial and temporal scales during 1901–2012. Three pairs of coupled spatial patterns for China’s PDSI and global SST anomalies are identified using the singular value decomposition (SVD) method. With a combination of ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis, it is found that the first mode, the sea ice loss–global warming pattern, causes wetness over north and northeastern China and drying over Inner Mongolia. The North Pacific Current (NPC) mode shows that a warmer NPC corresponds to a wetter summer over eastern China and a drier one over the Tibetan Plateau. Both NPC and Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) affect moisture variability in northern China and over the Tibetan Plateau, with the NPC mode more important in the centennial scale, while the PDO mode is more important in the multidecadal scale.

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