Dynamic and Thermodynamic Effects of the Tibetan Plateau on Mesoscale Vortex Development

青藏高原对大气环流的动力和热力学效应已被认识到一段时间。此外，高原对当地天气有明显的影响。高原上产生的最有趣的气象现象之一是一种被称为西南涡旋的中尺度大气扰动。在温暖的季节，这类低涡是中国最重要的降雨系统之一，经常导致严重的洪水事件。这些天气系统似乎与美国和其他地区出现的中尺度对流系统有一些相似之处，但尚不清楚它们是否是相同的现象。首席调查员将在西南涡旋的诊断和数值模拟研究中使用以前收集的特殊数据集。具体地说，他们将试图确定哪些气象因素对西南低涡的形成和加强很重要，以及这些系统与中尺度对流系统的关系。

The dynamic and thermodynamic effects of the Tibetan Plateau on atmospheric general circulation has been recognized for some time. Additionally, the Plateau has a pronounced influence on the local weather. One of the most interesting meteorological phenomenon produced over the Plateau is a mesoscale atmospheric disturbance known as the southwest vortex. During the warm season, vortices of this type are among the most important rain- producing systems in China and are often responsible for severe flood events. These weather systems appear to bear some resemblance to the mesoscale convective systems that occur in the United States and other locales, but it is not clear if they are the same phenomenon. The Principal Investigators will use previously collected special data sets in diagnostic and numerical modeling studies of southwest vortices. Specifically, they will attempt to determine what meteorological factors are important to the formation and intensification of southwest vortices and how these systems relate to mesoscale convective systems.//