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Structure characteristics of the vortices moving off the Tibetan Plateau

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Abstract

Tibetan Plateau vortices (TPVs) are major rainfall producers generated over the Tibetan Plateau, and the ones moving off the Tibetan Plateau can trigger heavy rainfall over eastern China. The structure characteristics of the moving-off TPVs are investigated based on the final operational global analysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Generally, the TPVs show different dynamic and thermodynamic structures before and after they move off the Tibetan Plateau. Specifically, the structures of TPVs at the genesis and peak times before they move off the Tibetan Plateau are distinguishing, and different structure characteristics are also found at the times when the TPVs just move off the Tibetan Plateau and when the intensity reaches the peak after moving off. In addition, the moving-off TPVs are divided into two groups according to their lifespans after moving off the plateau, and the structure characteristics of these two groups of TPVs are further compared. Furthermore, on the basis of the evolution features of the moving-off TPVs, the relationship between the structures of TPVs and their intensity is discussed. It is inferred that the evolution of the TPVs is determined by the structures of TPVs themselves to some extent.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2016YFA0600602), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41775059), the Basic Scientific Research and Operation Foundation of CAMS (Grant No. 2018Z006), and the Science and Technology Development Fund of CAMS (Grant Nos. 2018KJ029 and 2019KJ011).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, #46, Zhong-Guan-Cun South Avenue, Beijing, 100081, China

    Lun Li & Min Wen

  2. Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Renhe Zhang

  3. CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, China

    Renhe Zhang

Authors
  1. Lun Li
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  2. Renhe Zhang
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  3. Min Wen
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Correspondence to Lun Li.

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Li, L., Zhang, R. & Wen, M. Structure characteristics of the vortices moving off the Tibetan Plateau. Meteorol Atmos Phys 132, 19–34 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-019-00670-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-019-00670-z

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