The westerly fluctuation and water vapor transport over the Qilian-Heihe valley

Abstract

The westerly fluctuation and the atmospheric water vapor transport over the Qilian-Heihe valley are analyzed and the results show that, in the water vapor transport stream field from Jun to September, this valley is in the westerly stream and the water vapor comes from westerlies water transport via the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The net water vapor transport is less net import and different from most areas of the northwest China. The interannual changes in water vapor transport over the valley arise from the westerly fluctuation, and have a positive relationship to the interannual changes in westerly wind speed. The cold air actions from the Mongol low pressure are the primary system that controls the westerly water vapor transport. Its action chain is that, the Mongol low pressure is strengthened → the circulation meridionality will be increased → the cold air will move southwards → the westerly will be stronger → the wind convergence of direction and speed will be stronger → the water vapor convergence transport will be increased → the local water vapor content will be increased. The interannual changes in atmospheric water vapor transport over the valley rely mainly on the convergence transport, but the effect of advection transport is less. The interannual changes of strong or weak westerly affect mainly the convergence transport, and then make the atmospheric water vapor net transport increase or decrease over the Qilian-Heihe valley.