Seasonality and spatial variability of dynamic precipitation controls on the Tibetan Plateau
The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is the origin of many large Asian rivers, which provide water resources for large regions in south and east Asia. Therefore, the water cycle on the TP and adjacent high mountain ranges, in particular the precipitation distribution and variability play an important role for t...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-09-01
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| Series: | Earth System Dynamics |
| Online Access: | http://www.earth-syst-dynam.net/7/767/2016/esd-7-767-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is the origin of many large Asian rivers, which provide water resources for large regions in south and
east Asia. Therefore, the water cycle on the TP and adjacent high mountain
ranges, in particular the precipitation distribution and variability play an
important role for the water availability for billions of people in the
downstream regions of the TP.
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The High Asia Refined analysis (HAR) is used to analyse the dynamical
factors that influence precipitation variability in the TP region,
including the factors resulting in the enhancement and suppression of
precipitation. Four dynamical fields that can influence precipitation are
considered: the 300 hPa wind speed and wind speed 2 km above
ground, the 300 hPa vertical wind speed, and the atmospheric water
transport. The study focusses on the seasonality and the spatial variability
of the precipitation controls and their dominant patterns. Results show that
different factors have different effects on precipitation in different
regions and seasons. This depends mainly on the dominant type of
precipitation, i.e. convective or frontal/cyclonic precipitation. Additionally,
the study reveals that the midlatitude westerlies have a high impact on the
precipitation distribution on the TP and its surroundings year-round and not
only in winter. |
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| ISSN: | 2190-4979 2190-4987 |