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. Significance Statement The Tibetan Plateau (TP), being one of the world’s largest topographies, has been demonstrated to influence both paleoclimatic evolution and contemporary climate variability. However, the effect of TP on global weather variability has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study looked into the effect of the TP on global high-frequency temperature variability. The TP’s overall, mechanical, and thermal effects on high-frequency temperature variability and EKE were specifically demonstrated. To get insights into dynamics, the physical processes underpinning the TP’s influence on high-frequency temperature variability were further clarified. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effects of large-scale topography on global high-frequency temperature variations, as well as relevant weather extremes.