Known as the ‘Third Pole’, the Tibetan Plateau has become one of the key concentrates in worldwide atmosphere research. In this article, we explore how the distinct characteristics of this high-altitude area shed light on both current and future climate — findings that may provide insight into the climate of entire Earth.
The Tibetan Plateau — A Zodiac of the Atmosphere
Yet the key player in this drama is already on stage: the Tibetan Plateau, conducting a great atmospheric orchestra, guiding the push and pull of the midlatitude westerlies and Asian monsoon systems.
The plateau features an unique geological position and characteristics not only provide an ideal laboratory to exploring the complex processes behind climate variability in this area, but also give insight into how a variety of interrelated atmospheric systems act together to create the climatic conditions that encompass huge parts of Asia and the world.
Initiated in 2017 The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific and Research (STEP) program have facilitated unravelling some of these intricate interactions. Empowered by large-sample statistics and systematical observations foundation, many mechanisms for westerly-monsoon linkage driven together with the Tibetan Plateau have been revealed.
Secrets of Water Vapor and Extreme Weather
One of the main conclusions of the research presented in this special issue is that we have a better understanding on how water vapor has changed along the Tibetan Plateau.
The better observation network established by the STEP program has been feeding precious data, enabling scientists to understand more about water vapor complexity and its connection with regional hydroclimatic patterns.
They also include a look at the event of isolated deep convections over the Tibetan Plateau during rainy season, revealing processes controlling these weather extremes and associated climate feedbacks.
Knowledge of those water-related phenomena is fundamental to a better understanding not only of the present climate in the region, but also for further projections of changes in precipitation and water availability over the TP — which provides an essential resource to this part of the world and globally, too.
Conclusion
Given its location, form and diversity, the Tibetan Plateau is a crucial part of the global climate framework puzzle. The findings of the STEP program, which are a result of some of the most advanced research ever conducted in regard to the westerly and monsoon circulation interactions and how they regulate weather and climate on regional and global scales, are truly groundbreaking.
Given the important threat that climate change represents, our growing understanding of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial to bettering climate models and dealing with these challenges. It is not only a captivating role of the Tibetan Plateau as a ‘conductor’ an atmospheric orchestra, however it also decides our future on Earth.
