Abstract
In June 2013, a field experiment was conducted in Southeast Tibet in which the air temperature, moisture, and wind were measured by using a GPS sounding system. In the present study, based on these observations and ERA-Interim reanalysis data, the vertical structures of these atmospheric properties and the possible influence of the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) were investigated. On average, the temperature had a lapse rate of 6.8℃km−1 below the tropopause of 18.0 km. A strong moisture inversion occurred at the near-surface, with a strength of 1.7 g kg−1 (100 m)−1 for specific humidity. During the observation period, the SASM experienced a south phase and a north phase in the middle and by the end of June, respectively. The monsoon’s evolution led to large changes in convection and circulation over Southeast Tibet, which further affected the local thermal, moisture, and circulation conditions. The strong convection resulted in an elevated tropopause height over Southeast Tibet during the north phase of the SASM, and the large-scale warm and wet air masses delivered by the monsoon caused high local temperature and moisture conditions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen Xuelong, Ma Yaoming, Hu Zeyong, et al., 2010: Analysis of atmospheric structure in Gaize region of western Tibetan Plateau during pre-onset and onset of monsoon. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 34, 83–94. (in Chinese)
Ding, Y. H., 2007: The variability of the Asian summer monsoon. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 85, 21–54.
Gao Dengyi, Zou Han, and Wang Wei, 1985: Influences of Brahmaputra River water passage on the precipitation. Mount. Res., 3, 239–249. (in Chinese)
Goswami, B. N., and P. K. Xavier, 2003: Potential predictability and extended range prediction of Indian summer monsoon breaks. Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, doi: 10.1029/2003GL017810.
He, H. Y., J. W. McGinnis, Z. S. Song, et al., 1987: Onset of the Asian summer monsoon in 1979 and the effect of the Tibetan Plateau. Mon. Wea. Rev., 115, 1966–1995.
He Jinhai, Ju Jianhua, Wen Zhiping, et al., 2007: A review of recent advances in research on Asian monsoon in China. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 24, 972–992.
Hsu, H. H., and X. Liu, 2003: Relationship between the Tibetan Plateau heating and East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, 2666, doi: 10.1029/2003GL017909.
Li Jialun, Hong Zhongxiang, and Sun Shufen, 2000: An observational experiment on the atmospheric boundary layer in Gerze Area of the Tibetan Plateau. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 24, 301–312. (in Chinese)
Li Maoshan, Dai Youxue, Ma Yaoming, et al., 2006: Analysis on structure of atmospheric boundary layer and energy exchange of surface layer over Mount Qomolangma region. Plateau Meteor., 25, 807–813. (in Chinese)
Ma, Y. M., and O. Tsukamoto, 2002: Combining Satellite Remote Sensing with Field Observation for Land Surface Heat Fluxes over Inhomogeneous Landscape. China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 49–153.
Seidel, D. J., and W. J. Randel, 2006: Variability and trend in the global tropopause estimated from radiosonde data. J. Geophys. Res., 111, D21101, doi: 10.1029/2006JD007363.
Wang, B., and Z. Fan, 1999: Choice of South Asian summer monsoon indices. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 80, 629–638.
Wang, B., Q. Bao, B. Hoskins, et al., 2008: Tibetan Plateau warming and precipitation changes in East Asia. Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L14702, doi: 10.1029/2008GL034330.
Webster, P. J., V. O. Maga˜na, T. N. Palmer, et al., 1998: Monsoons: Processes, predictability, and the prospects for prediction. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 14451–14510, doi: 10.1029/97JC02719.
Wu, G. X., and Y. S. Zhang, 1998: Tibetan Plateau forcing and the timing of the monsoon onset over South Asia and the South China Sea. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 913–927.
Wu, G., Y. Liu, B. He, et al., 2012: Thermal controls on the Asian summer monsoon. Sci. Rep., 2, doi: 10.1038/srep00404.
Xu, X. D., R. H. Zhang, K. Toshio, et al., 2008: A new integrated observational system over the Tibetan Plateau. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 89, 1492–1496.
Yanai, M., C. F. Li, and Z. S. Song, 1992: Seasonal heating of the Tibetan Plateau and its effects on the evolution of the Asian summer monsoon. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 70, 319–351.
Yang, K., K. Toshio, F. Hideyuki, et al., 2004: The daytime evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer and convection over the Tibetan Plateau: Observations and simulations. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 82, 1777–1792.
Ye Duzheng and Gao Youxi, 1979: The Meteorology of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau. Science Press, Beijing, 1–278. (in Chinese)
Zhou, L. B., H. Zou, S. P. Ma, et al., 2008: Study on impact of the South Asian summer monsoon on the down-valley wind on the north slope of Mt. Everest. Geophy. Res. Lett., 35, L14811, doi: 10.1029/2008GL034151.
Zhou Libo, Zou Han, Ma Shupo, et al., 2012: Observed impact of the South Asian summer monsoon on the local meteorology in the Himalayas. Acta Meteor. Sinica, 26, 205–215, doi: 10.1007/s13351-012-0206-0.
Zhou Libo, Zhu Jinhuan, Zou Han, et al., 2013: Atmospheric moisture distribution and transport over the Tibetan Plateau and the impacts of the South Asian summer monsoon. Acta Meteor. Sinica, 27, 819–831, doi: 10.1007/s13351-013-0603-z.
Zhou Mingyu, Xu Xiangde, Bian Lingen, et al., 2000: Observational Analysis and Dynamic Study of Atmospheric Boundary Layer on Tibetan Plateau. China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 125 pp. (in Chinese)
Zhou Mingyu, Qian Fenlan, Chen Zhi, et al., 2002: The characteristics of the profiles for wind, temperature and humidity in the baroclinic convective boundary layer on Xizang Plateau. Chinese J. Geophy., 45, 773–783. (in Chinese)
Zou, H., 1996: Seasonal variation and trends of TOMS ozone over Tibet. Geophys. Res. Lett., 23, 1029–1032, doi: 10.1029/96GL00767.
Zou Han and Gao Yongqi, 1997: Vertical ozone profile over Tibet using Sages I and II data. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 14, 505–512.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by the China Meteorological Administration Special Public Welfare Research Fund (GYHY201206041), Project of Comprehensive Evaluation of Polar Areas on Global and Regional Climate Changes (CHINARE2016-04-04), and Polar Environment Comprehensive Investigation and Assessment (CHINARE2016-02-03).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhou, L., Li, F., Zhu, J. et al. Vertical structures of atmospheric properties in Southeast Tibet during the South Asian summer monsoon in 2013. J Meteorol Res 30, 258–264 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-016-5095-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-016-5095-1