Plateau monsoons of the northern hemisphere: a comparison between North America and Tibet

Detailed analyses are presented of the temperature and pressure fields of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and their seasonal variability over the western U.S. and over the Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai-Xizang Plateau). Over the U.S., these analyses rely on 850-mb data, augmented by surface data. Over...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly weather review 1984-01, Vol.112 (4), p.617-637
Main Authors: MAOCANG TANG, REITER, E. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
General circulation. Atmospheric waves
Meteorology
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Detailed analyses are presented of the temperature and pressure fields of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and their seasonal variability over the western U.S. and over the Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai-Xizang Plateau). Over the U.S., these analyses rely on 850-mb data, augmented by surface data. Over Tibet, the 600-mb surface adequately describes the PBL. The effects of a plateau monsoon appear prominently during winter and summer over both plateaus. Together with continental monsoon effects, they help to shape prominent circulation features, such as the low-level jet stream (LLJ) over Texas and Oklahoma. The complex, seasonal characteristics of precipitation regimes over the North American continent can be explained, to a large extent, by considering these monsoonal changes in the PBL, especially over the mountains.
ISSN:0027-0644
1520-0493
DOI:10.1175/1520-0493(1984)112<0617:PMOTNH>2.0.CO;2