Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of Precipitation Isohyets on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 1961 to 2023

Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of Precipitation Isohyets on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 1961 to 2023

Under a warming–humidifying climate, precipitation patterns on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau have significantly shifted due to a water imbalance in its solid–liquid structure. Using monthly precipitation data (1961–2023), we analyzed the spatial distribution and dynamics of 200 mm and 400 mm isohyets th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xuan Liu, Qiang Zhou, Yonggui Ma, Zemin Zhi, Rui Liu, Weidong Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
isohyet
climate change
Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
precipitation variation
geospatial analysis
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/6/698
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Summary:Under a warming–humidifying climate, precipitation patterns on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau have significantly shifted due to a water imbalance in its solid–liquid structure. Using monthly precipitation data (1961–2023), we analyzed the spatial distribution and dynamics of 200 mm and 400 mm isohyets through climate propensity rates and centroid center migration. The results show: (1) precipitation increased significantly (4.17 mm/decade), decreasing spatially from southeast to northwest. Regionally, it increased in areas like the southern Qinghai Plateau region, but declined in the southern Himalayas and central–southern Altyn−Tagh Mountains. (2) The 200 mm line migrated northward in southern Qiangtang, shrank around Qaidam Basin, with an overall northeastward shift; the 400 mm line moved westward in eastern Qiangtang and Hehuang Valley, northward in southern Qinghai, trending northwest. (3) From 1961 to 1990 and 1991 to 2023, the 200 mm isohyet’s centroid shifted 49 km north and 17 km east, while the 400 mm isohyet moved 22 km north and 19 km west. (4) Vertically, the 200 mm isohyet ascended by 7.11 m/decade, while the 400 mm line rose more slowly (2.61 m/decade). These changes indicate a significant shift in precipitation distribution, impacting regional hydrological processes.
ISSN:2073-4433

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