Prediction Method for Summer Precipitation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Based on Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Using station data from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and monthly reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Cen-ter for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR), the relationship between sea surface temperature in the tropical Indian Ocean and summer precipitation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau was investigated. The conclusions are as fol-lows: 1) When the sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean uniformly warms, the moisture transported to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau increases, leading to more summer precipitation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau; con-versely, when the sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean is cooler, the moisture transported to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau decreases, resulting in less summer precipitation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. 2) When the So-mali Jet at 925 hPa is weaker, the Somali Jet at 700 hPa is stronger, which also leads to increased moisture transport from the Indian Ocean to the plateau, causing more summer precipitation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau; whereas, when the Somali Jet at 925 hPa is stronger, the Somali Jet at 700 hPa is weaker, leading to decreased moisture transport from the Indian Ocean to the plateau, resulting in less summer precipitation on the Qing-hai-Xizang Plateau.