Impacts of Tibetan Plateau Spring Snowmelt on Spring and Summer Precipitation in Northwest China

Snow on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is an important signal for prediction of East Asian climate. In this study, relationship between TP spring snowmelt and summer precipitation in Northwest China (NWC) was investigated, along with possible mechanisms linked to impacts precipitation. The results showed that had significant NWC. For example, when there a large central- eastern TP, Hexi Corridor southeast NWC excessive, especially summer; northern deficient across whole NWC, while western led but excessive included fact more over higher soil moisture contents, which further resulted weakened subtropical westerly enhanced ridge Xinjiang. By changing thermal forcing, these anomalous atmospheric circulation conditions transported water vapor into thus creating region.