Summertime Thermal Characteristics over Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and Surrounding Areas and Its Relationship with Precipitation in East Asia

By using the ERA-interim monthly averaged reanalysis data from 1979 to 2011 and reverse computational method,the summertime atmospheric heat source and moisture sink over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP) and its surrounding areas were calculated.We also use REOF analysis to examine their spatial distribution and then choose five sub-regions for research.We compare the thermal characteristics of each sub-regions and analyze their relationship with the precipitation in East Asia.Our results show that heat source distribution over QXP and its surrounding areas is complicated,and its local characteristics are significant.The heat source anomalies in different regions have much obviously difference,and their relationships with East Asian precipitations are also distinct.In particular,when heating over southern QXP adjacent areas enhances,precipitations over the QXP and northern Indian will increase correspondingly.Enhanced heating over northeast QXP adjacent areas will increase precipitations of North China and neighboring regions.Increased heating over eastern QXP will make precipitations over Yangtze-Huaihe river basin stronger.Heating over southeast QXP adjacent areas increases will enhance the precipitations over Yangtze valley.Stronger heating over western QXP will lead to enhanced precipitations over South China.Furthermore,heat source anomalies in different regions have various impact on water vapor transportation and thus lead to different corresponding changes in precipitation in East Asia.