Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the vertical variations of upper-tropospheric temperature over the Mediterranean region significantly influence the convection over the western Tibetan Plateau (WTP) via modulating dynamics and thermodynamics over the WTP. Here we explore the possible connection the other way round, i.e., the impact of the Tibetan Plateau on the Mediterranean region. Results reveal that there exists an increase/decrease in upper-tropospheric temperature at the 100 hPa/250 hPa over the WTP during El Niño years. The upper-tropospheric temperature at 100 hPa/250 hPa is attributed to an anti-cyclonic/cyclonic circulation in the wind shear. The vertical thermal contrast (VTC) formed between the pressure levels (i.e., between 100 and 250 hPa) over the WTP induces a cyclonic circulation in the wind shear around 250 hPa over the Mediterranean region and thereby impacting the convection over the Mediterranean region. To substantiate, we explored the possible pathway for this teleconnection. An analysis of 200 hPa zonal winds (a proxy for the subtropical jet) regressed onto the WTP VTC exhibits westerly winds over the southern part of the Mediterranean region and easterly winds over the northern part implying a cyclonic circulation in support of convection over the Mediterranean region. Thus, ascertaining the role of the subtropical jet in facilitating the teleconnection between the WTP and the Mediterranean region. A dominant causality further corroborated the findings.
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The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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The codes during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Editor and the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions, which helped improve the manuscript in the present form. GrADS software is used for the figures. BHV thanks NCEP-DOE AMIP 2 Reanalysis Version 2, NOAA, and MERRA for the datasets and X. San Liang for technical and scientific support in performing causality.
Funding
This research was supported by the National Program on Global Change and Air-Sea Interaction (GASI-IPOVAI-06), and the “2015 Jiangsu Program for Innovation Research and Entrepreneurship Groups.”
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BHV planned, performed the analysis, and wrote the paper. RHK added his formal expertise to the analyzed results.
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Vaid, B.H., Kripalani, R.H. Upper vertical thermal contrast over the western Tibetan Plateau and its impact on convection over the Mediterranean region during ENSO events. Meteorol Atmos Phys 134, 29 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-022-00872-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-022-00872-y