Impact of the Tibetan Plateau on Global High-frequency Temperature Variability

Abstract

Abstract The Tibetan Plateau’s (TP) topography has long been recognized for its impact on climate. However, recognition of the influence of the TP on global weather variability remains insufficient. Therefore, this study used numerical simulations to demonstrate the influences of the TP and its mechanical and thermal forcing on global high-frequency temperature variability and eddy kinetic energy (EKE). Despite local influences, the TP influenced the high-frequency temperature variability in far-flung regions like North America. In summer, the TP’s influence on high-frequency temperature variability showed dipole patterns in Eurasia and tripole patterns in North America, which were mainly induced by TP thermal forcing. In winter, the TP’s influence on high-frequency temperature variability was dominated by mechanical forcing and was less significant for remote regions than in summer. Mechanical forcing dominated EKE in both summer and winter. Furthermore, the horizontal temperature advection dominated the TP’s influence on high-frequency temperature variability for both its thermal effect in summer and its mechanical effect in winter, wherein EKE, as the dynamical factor, determined the horizontal temperature advection rather than the thermodynamical factor, the temperature gradient. Our findings suggest that the TP, via its mechanical and thermal forcing, may have an impact on temperature-related weather extremes around the world.