New studies on storm systems in the Tibetan Plateau develop climate models
New research from the University of Gothenburg shows that a large part of the precipitation in the downstream regions of the Tibetan Plateau is caused by large storm systems. The result provides a clue to how the atmospheric processes that control precipitation can be better represented in climate models.
In her PhD thesis, Julia Kukulies, Department of Earth Sciences, has investigated the atmospheric processes that control precipitation on the Tibetan Plateau and evaluated how well these processes are currently represented in high-resolution climate models. Her research has been conducted using satellite observations.
- A key finding is that a large fraction of the total precipitation in the downstream regions is produced by large storm systems. The atmospheric processes over the mountains are crucial to the formation of these storms. This means that we need to represent these processes correctly in our climate models, says Julia Kukulies.
Climate models important tool for climate adaptation
The Tibetan Plateau is located in Central Asia and is the highest and most extensive plateau in the world. The plateau is also home to the area known as the Third pole, which contains the largest layer of frozen water after the North and South Poles. Through glaciers, lakes and rivers, it stores and transports water for over two billion people in Asia – 30 per cent of the world's population.
The Tibetan Plateau is particularly sensitive to climate change. Precipitation is a key parameter as it affects river runoff, water resources and natural hazards such as flooding. This makes storm systems that cause precipitation important to study.
- To understand the impact of climate change on precipitation in mountain regions, it is important to understand the processes that control precipitation variation in the present,says Julia Kukulies.
The results of her studies can be seen as a step forward in reliably predicting precipitation changes in and around the mountainous areas. They can help interpret and further develop weather and climate models.
- Climate models are one of the most important tools we have today for climate adaptation.
- An interesting question for the future is how the major storm systems on the Tibetan plateau will change in a warmer climate. As well as how this will affect precipitation, water resources and the risk of natural disasters," she says.
Thesis title: "Observing and Modeling Precipitation in the Tibetan Plateau region - from large-scale processes to convective storms"
Link to the thesis in GUPEA: https://hdl.handle.net/2077/75117
For more information about the research, please contact:
Julia Kukulies, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, julia.kukulies@gu.se
BY: JENNY MEYER