Differences in Cloud Vertical Structures between the Tibetan Plateau and Eastern China Plains during Rainy Season as Measured by CloudSat/CALIPSO

Abstract

Cloud vertical structures over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and Eastern China Plains (ECP) were analyzed by using data in rainy seasons from 2006 to 2009, in order to clarify the cloud development over adjacent regions but with distinct topographies. Results indicate that the largest occurrences of cloud top height over the TP are at 7-8 km above mean sea level, which is about 4 km lower than that over the ECP. Mixed-phase clouds dominated more than 30% over the TP, while it is lower than 10% over the ECP. The infrequent mixed-phase clouds over the ECP are attributed to the unique dynamic and moisture situations over the downstream areas of the TP. Ice clouds have similar occurrences over the two regions. The prominent distinctions are manifested by the probability density of cloud thickness. The probability density of cloud thickness around 4–8 km is about 2% higher over the TP than the ECP. However, there is almost no ice cloud thicker than 10 km over the TP, while it is about 1% over the ECP. Compared with those over the ECP, every cloud layer within multilayered clouds is generally higher and thinner over the TP, which is closely related to the elevated surface and the resulting thinner troposphere. The significant differences in cloud vertical structures between the TP and the ECP present in this study emphasize that topographical characteristics and the resulting moisture and circulation conditions have strong impacts on the cloud vertical structures.

Large‐Scale Circulation Environment and Microphysical Characteristics of the Cloud Systems Over the Tibetan Plateau in Boreal Summer

“…For example, the precipitation radar observations from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) show that convection over the TP is 5 and 2 km shallower than that over the land and ocean, respectively (Fu et al, 2008). The CloudSat data set also suggests that the mixed‐phase clouds dominate more than 30% over the TP, and the largest occurrences of cloud top height over the TP is about 4 km lower than that over the plain in the East China (Yi, 2019). The vertical structure of cloud amount is characterized by the CloudSat products, and it presents a single peak (located between 7 and 11 km) during January to April and two peaks (located between 5–8 and 11–17 km separately) in the warm season (Yan et al, 2016).…”

Macro- and microphysical characteristics of snowfall and non-snowfall clouds in the West Tianshan Mountains of China based on cloud radar

“…However, previous studies have mainly focused on areas with abundant rainfall (Zhang et al 2019b;Luo et al 2009;Yi 2013;Liu et al 2015;Ma et al 2018;Cui et al 2020;Yue et al 2020;Wang et al 2018;Huo et al 2020a, b;Wu et al 2020) and there have been few studies on arid areas instead. In recent years, an increasing number of studies on precipitation and non-precipitation cloud macro-and microphysical properties have been carried out in the arid regions of China, especially in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Yi 2019;Liu et al 2021;Ma et al 2018;Qiu et al 2018;Zhao et al 2016Zhao et al , 2017, but less research has been carried out in Xinjiang. Therefore, the findings of this paper deepen the understanding of winter clouds in the West Tianshan Mountains of China and provide useful data for further investigation of the structural characteristics of winter clouds in this region.…”

“…Although aircraft can obtain detailed observation results, the sampling space is small, and the cost is high (Parish and Leon, 2013). Satellites have a wide detection range but low spatial and temporal resolutions (Yi, 2019).…”

Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of the Cloud Vertical Structure Over the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau in Summer

“…For the multi–layer cloud over the TP, multi–layer cloud accounts for 23% of all clouds over the TP while two–layer and three–layer clouds accounts for more than 95% of all multi–layer clouds from September 2006 to August 2009 (Wang et al., 2011). Single–layer cloud, two–layer cloud and three–layer cloud accounts for 71%, 23%, and 3% of the total cloud over TP during May–August of 2006–2009, respectively (Yi, 2019). The single–layer clouds in the eastern part of the plateau are mostly concentrated in 5–8 km AGL (above ground level), while for the two–layer cloud structure, the bottom layer is likely to be concentrated in 2–3 km AGL, and the top layer is most likely to be between 11 and 15 km AGL in summer (Wan et al., 2022).…”

“…The formation of the TP cloud is closely related to the unique plateau topography and its affected weather conditions. For example, the cloud layer within multi–layer clouds is generally higher and thinner over the TP than eastern China because the plateau restricts the vertical height of the cloud, significantly compresses the cloud layer thickness and limits the number of cloud layers (Yan et al., 2016; Yi, 2019).…”