Mechanism of Diabatic Heating on Precipitation and the Track of a Tibetan Plateau Vortex over the Eastern Slope of the Tibetan Plateau

Existing studies contend that latent heating(LH)will replace sensible heating(SH)to become the dominant factor affecting the development of the Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV)after it moves off the Tibetan Plateau(TP).However,in the process of the TPV moving off the TP requires that the airmass traverse the eastern slope of the Tibetan Plateau(ESTP)where the topography and diabatic heating(DH)conditions rapidly change.How LH gradually replaces SH to become the dominant factor in the development of the TPV over the ESTP is still not very clear.In this paper,an analysis of a typical case of a TPV with a long life history over the ESTP is performed by using multi-sourced meteorological data and model simulations.The results show that SH from the TP surface can change the TPV-associated precipitation distribution by temperature advection after the TPV moves off the TP.The LH can then directly promote the development of the TPV and has a certain guiding effect on the track of the TPV.The SH can control the active area of LH by changing the falling area of the TPV-associated precipitation,so it still plays a key role in the development and tracking of the TPV even though it has moved out of the main body of the TP.

Diagnostic Analysis of the Evolution Mechanism for a Vortex over the Tibetan Plateau in June 2008

Based on the final analyses data （FNL） of the Global Forecasting System of the NCEP and the obser- vational radiosonde data, the evolution mechanism of an eastward-moving low-level vortex over the Tibetan Plateau in June 2008 was analyzed. The results show that the formation of the vortex was related to the convergence between the northwesterly over the central Tibetan Plateau from the westerly zone and the southerly from the Bay of Bengal at 500 hPa, and also to the divergence associated with the entrance re- gion of the upper westerly jet at 200 hPa. Their dynamic effects were favorable for ascending motion and forming the vortex over the Tibetan Plateau. Furthermore, the effect of the atmospheric heat source （Q1） is discussed based on a transformed potential vorticity （PV） tendency equation. By calculating the PV budgets, we showed that Q1 had a great inffuence on the intensity and moving direction of the vortex. In the developing stage of the vortex, the heating of the vertically integrated Q1 was centered to the east of the vortex center at 500 hPa, increasing PV tendency to the east of the vortex. As a result, the vortex strengthened and moved eastward through the vertically uneven distribution of Q1. In the decaying stage, the horizontally uneven heating of Q1 at 500 hPa weakened the vortex through causing the vortex tubes around the vortex to slant and redistributing the vertical vorticity field.

Dynamic and Numerical Study of Waves in the Tibetan Plateau Vortex

In terms of its dynamics, The Tibetan Plateau Vortex （TPV） is assumed to be a vortex in the botmdary layer forced by diabatic heating and friction. In order to analyze the basic characteristics of waves in the vortex, the governing equations for the vortex were established in column coordinates with the balance of gradient wind. Based on this, the type of mixed waves and their dispersion characteristics were deduced by solving the linear model. Two numerical simulations with triple-nested domains--one idealized large-eddy simulation and one of a TPV that took place on 14 August 2006---were also carried out. The aim of the simulations was to validate the mixed wave deduced from the governing equations. The high-resolution model output data were analyzed and the results showed that the tangential flow field of the TPV in the form of center heating was cyclonic and convergent in the lower levels and anticyclonic and divergent in the upper levels. The simulations also showed that the vorticity of the vortex is uneven and might have shear flow along the radial direction. The changing vorticity causes the formation and spreading of vortex Rossby （VR） waves, and divergence will cause changes to the n^otion of the excitation and evolution of inertial gravity （IG） waves. Therefore, the vortex may contain what we call mixed ：inertial gravity-vortex Rossby （IG-VR） waves. It is suggested that some strongly developed TPVs should be studied in the future, because of their effects on weather in downstream areas.

Satellite-based Observational Study of the Tibetan Plateau Vortex:Features of Deep Convective Cloud Tops

In this study, an east-moving Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV) is analyzed by using the ERA-5 reanalysis and multi-source satellite data, including FengYun-2 E, Aqua/MODIS and CALIPSO. The objective is to demonstrate:(i) the usefulness of multi-spectral satellite observations in understanding the evolution of a TPV and the associated rainfall, and(ii) the potential significance of cloud-top quantitative information in improving Southwest China weather forecasts. Results in this study show that the heavy rainfall is caused by the coupling of an east-moving TPV and some low-level weather systems [a Plateau shear line and a Southwest Vortex(SWV)], wherein the TPV is a key component. During the TPV's life cycle, the rainfall and vortex intensity maintain a significant positive correlation with the convective cloud-top fraction and height within a 2.5?radius away from its center. Moreover, its growth is found to be quite sensitive to the cloud phases and particle sizes. In the mature stage when the TPV is coupled with an SWV, an increase of small ice crystal particles and appearance of ring-and U/V-shaped cold cloud-top structures can be seen as the signature of a stronger convection and rainfall enhancement within the TPV. A tropopause folding caused by ageostrophic flows at the upper level may be a key factor in the formation of ring-shaped and U/V-shaped cloud-top structures. Based on these results, we believe that the supplementary quantitative information of an east-moving TPV cloud top collected by multi-spectral satellite observations could help to improve Southwest China short-range/nowcasting weather forecasts.

PV Perspective of Impacts on Downstream Extreme Rainfall Event of a Tibetan Plateau Vortex Collaborating with a Southwest China Vortex

An extreme rainfall event occurred over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze Basin(MLY)during the end of June 2016,which was attributable to a Tibetan Plateau(TP)Vortex(TPV)in conjunction with a Southwest China Vortex(SWCV).The physical mechanism for this event was investigated from Potential Vorticity(PV)and omega perspectives based on MERRA-2 reanalysis data.The cyclogenesis of the TPV over the northwestern TP along with the lower-tropospheric SWCV was found to involve a midtropospheric large-scale flow reconfiguration across western and eastern China with the formation of a high-amplitude Rossby wave.Subsequently,the eastward-moving TPV coalesced vertically with the SWCV over the eastern Sichuan Basin due to the positive vertical gradient of the TPV-related PV advection,leading the lower-tropospheric jet associated with moisture transport to intensify greatly and converge over the downstream MLY.The merged TPV−SWCV specially facilitated the upper-tropospheric isentropic-gliding ascending motion over the MLY.With the TPV-embedded mid-tropospheric trough migrating continuously eastward,the almost stagnant SWCV was re-separated from the overlying TPV,forming a more eastward-tilted high-PV configuration to trigger stronger ascending motion including isentropic-gliding,isentropic-displacement,and diabatic heating-related ascending components over the MLY.This led to more intense rainfall.Quantitative PV diagnoses demonstrate that both the coalescence and subsequent re-separation processes of the TPV with the SWCV were largely dominated by horizontal PV advection and PV generation due to vertically nonuniform diabatic heating,as well as the feedback of condensation latent heating on the isentropic-displacement vertical velocity.

The Impact of the Eastward Propagation of Convective Systems over the Tibetan Plateau on the Southwest Vortex Formation in Summer

Based on the temperature of the black body (TBB),station observed and NCEP reanalysis data,the impacts of the eastward propagation of convective cloud systems over the Tibetan Plateau on the southwest vortex (SWV) formation that occurred at 1800 UTC on 29 June 2003 are analyzed by using the Zwack-Okossi (Z-O) equation to diagnose the thermal and dynamic processes.It is found that,in summer,severe convective activities often occur over the Tibetan Plateau due to the abundant supply of moisture.The convective cloud near the east edge of the plateau could move eastward with a shortwave trough in the westerly.The divergent center that is induced by latent heat release,which is associated with severe convective activities,moves out with the convective cloud and contributes to the low level decompression which is favorable for the formation of plateau edge cyclogenesis (PEC).The Z-O equation indicates that,in this case,the latent heat release and convergence are the two most important factors for SWV formation,which amounts to about 42% and 15% of the term TOTAL,respectively.It is implied that the thermal process effect was more important than the dynamic process during SWV formation.

MODULATION OF MADDEN-JULIAN OSCILLATION ON TIBETAN PLATEAU VORTEX

This study uses NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data,NOAA outgoing long-wave radiation(OLR) data,the real-time multivariate MJO(RMM) index from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV)data from the Chengdu Institute of Plateau Meteorology to discuss modulation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation(MJO)on the Tibetan Plateau Vortex(TPV).Wavelet and composite analysis are used.Results show that the MJO plays an important role in the occurrence of the TPV that the number of TPVs generated within an active period of the MJO is three times as much as that during an inactive period.In addition,during the active period,the number of the TPVs generated in phases 1 and 2 is larger than that in phases 3 and 7.After compositing phases 1 and 7 separately,all meteorological elements in phase 1 are apparently conducive to the generation of the TPV,whereas those in phase 7 are somewhat constrained.With its eastward propagation process,the MJO convection centre spreads eastward,and the vertical circulation within the tropical atmosphere changes.Due to the interaction between the mid-latitude and low-latitude atmosphere,changes occur in the baroclinic characteristics of the atmosphere,the available potential energy and eddy available potential energy of the atmosphere,and the circulation structures of the atmosphere over the Tibetan Plateau(TP) and surrounding areas.This results in significantly different water vapour transportation and latent heat distribution.Advantageous and disadvantageous conditions therefore alternate,leading to a significant difference among the numbers of plateau vortex in different phases.

VORTEX MOTION OF THE CRUST DEFORMATION IN THE TIBETAN PLATEAU AND ITS FORELAND

Since 1996, a regional GPS network has been established along the northern Tibetan Plateau and its neighboring foreland, and has been measured for the period 1996\|1998.* Viewed relative to Chengdu (CHDU fiduciary station representing the stable South China), stations of the northern plateau bounded by the Qilian Shan and the Altyn Tagh fault, move NE to NNW with 20 5～11 7mm/a, and NE to NNE with 10 5～1 5mm/a in its foreland. Addition, the Lhasa (LHAS tracking station in the southern Tibetan Plateau) moves NNE at 23 1mm/a related to CHDU. Especially interestingly, the velocities and the directions of motion vectors of stations in the northern Tibetan Plateau decrease progressively and deflect systematically westward from south to north, respectively. More, the tangents of motion vectors of stations converge around a point near the central of Qaidam Basin except the GLM station at Golmud. We, therefore, find that the general vortex feature of the crust motion appears on the velocity field in the northern Tibetan Plateau. And the anti\|clockwise vortex motion is restricted by block boundaries within the plateau, and also involved the related forelands for example HCY station (Jianyuguan) at the Hexi Corridor.

Modulation of the Intensity of Nascent Tibetan Plateau Vortices by Atmospheric Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation

The modulation of the intensity of nascent Tibetan Plateau vortices(ITPV) by atmospheric quasi-biweekly oscillation(QBWO) is investigated based on final operational global analysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The spatial and temporal distributions of the ITPV show distinct features of 10–20-day QBWO. The average ITPV is much higher in the positive phases than in the negative phases, and the number of strong TPVs is much larger in the former,with a peak that appears in phase 3. In addition, the maximum centers of the ITPV stretch eastward in the positive phases,indicating periodic variations in the locations where strong TPVs are generated. The large-scale circulations and related thermodynamic fields are discussed to investigate the mechanism by which the 10–20-day QBWO modulates the ITPV. The atmospheric circulations and heating fields of the 10–20-day QBWO have a major impact on the ITPV. In the positive QBWO phases, the anomalous convergence at 500 hPa and divergence at 200 hPa are conducive to ascending motion. In addition, the convergence centers of the water vapor and the atmospheric unstable stratification are found in the positive QBWO phases and move eastward. Correspondingly, condensational latent heat is released and shifts eastward with the heating centers located at 400 hPa, which favors a higher ITPV by depressing the isobaric surface at 500 hPa. All of the dynamic and thermodynamic conditions in the positive QBWO phases are conducive to the generation of stronger TPVs and their eastward expansion.

Impact of Dynamic and Thermal Forcing on the Intensity Evolution of the Vortices over the Tibetan Plateau in Boreal Summer

The Tibetan Plateau Vortex(TPV)is one of the main weather systems causing heavy rainfall over the Tibetan Plateau in boreal summer.Based on the second Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications(MERRA-2)reanalysis datasets provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA),8 cases of TPV over the Tibetan Plateau generated in June-August with a lifetime of 42 hours are composited and analyzed to reveal the impact of dynamic and thermal forcing on the intensity evolution of TPVs.The results are as follows.(1)The TPVs appear obviously at 500 h Pa and the TPVs intensity(TPVI)shows an obvious diurnal variation with the strongest at 00 LT and the weakest at 12 LT(LT=UTC+6 h).(2)A strong South Asia High at 200 h Pa as well as a shrunken Western Pacific Subtropical High at 500 h Pa provide favorable conditions for the TPVI increasing.(3)The vorticity budget reveals that the divergence is indicative of the variation of the TPVI.The TPVI decreases when the convergence center at500 h Pa and the divergence center at 200 h Pa lie in the east of the TPVs center and increases when both centers coincide with the TPVs center.(4)Potential vorticity(PV)increases with the enhancement of the TPVI.The PV budget shows that the variation of the TPVI is closely related to the diabatic heating over the Tibetan Plateau.The increased sensible heating and radiative heating in the boundary layer intensify the ascent and latent heating release.When the diabatic heating center rises to 400 h Pa,it facilitates the development of the TPVs.

两次不同生命史东移高原涡的动力结构与成因分析

利用NCEP再分析资料对2008年6月25-27日和2013年6月4-10日两次东移出高原的高原涡过程进行结构特征和演变机制的诊断分析,探讨两次长、短路径高原涡过程的结构特征和造成不同生命史的影响因子。结果表明:(1)路径短的扎多涡活动过程中,南亚高压呈扁平状,高空急流偏南,高原涡处在下滑槽中移出高原;路径长的曲麻莱涡活动过程中,南亚高压有些北拱,高原涡处在南亚高压脊前西北气流下空,副高偏南,高原涡随低槽东移加强,并伴有西南涡东移。(2)两次高原涡过程结构特征差异明显,主要表现在扎多涡在高原上增强时、曲麻莱涡与西南涡耦合及之后再度加强时的结构特征,前者低涡处在600~350 hPa较深厚的正涡度、上升运动层内,还具有对流层高层强辐散的结构特征;后者具有对流层高、中、低层正涡度贯通、对流层内为上升运动、对流层低层辐合,对流层高层弱辐散的结构特征,其中对流层低层由整个对流层内为最强正涡度,演变为整个对流层内为最强正涡度、最强上升运动、最强辐合。(3)总涡度收支诊断表明,散度项变化对低涡总涡度变率变化起决定性作用。扎多涡的强度变化与散度项变化一致。曲麻莱涡在与西南涡伴行过程中,垂直输送项、水平平流项的影响在加强。(4)涡中心区500 hPa正涡度变率的收支分析看出,高原涡在没有西南涡活动时,对高原涡的500 hPa正涡度变率贡献的主要是涡度辐合造成的;在有西南涡活动时,随着与西南涡垂直方向叠合、伴行,正涡度垂直输送显得更加重要。

近十年我国涡旋系统的研究进展

近年我国暴雨和强对流等中小尺度灾害性天气频发,涡旋是产生这些灾害天气的重要天气系统之一。为了不断提高对我国涡旋及其产生的暴雨和强对流天气发生发展机理的认识和预报准确率,本文对容易引发长江流域沿线灾害天气的三类涡旋(高原低涡、西南低涡和大别山涡)及对北方地区暴雨、强对流天气有重要影响的东北冷涡、中亚低涡的主要研究成果进行了梳理。主要回顾了近十年这些涡旋的识别方法、时空分布统计特征、三维结构以及产生的暴雨、强对流天气机理。最后,对与涡旋系统以及相关天气的研究与预报中的问题、未来发展方向进行了简要讨论和展望。

青藏高原水循环中高原低涡及多季风交汇的研究进展

青藏高原以其特殊而强大的动力和热力效应,导致东亚季风、印度季风和高原季风在高原及周边地区交汇。受多季风交汇影响,青藏高原低涡的水循环过程极为复杂,而高原低涡水循环异常往往可造成高原及周边乃至我国中东部地区频发灾害性天气,因此一直是国内外学者关注的热点和难点问题。本文回顾了国内外关于高原低涡活动特征、结构特征、生成发展机制等方面研究进展,从高原低涡水汽输送、低涡降水和云—降水物理过程等角度概括了高原低涡参与水循环过程研究成果,在总结东亚季风、印度季风和高原季风相互作用研究的基础上分析了多季风交汇对高原水循环的影响。对多季风作用下高原低涡影响水循环方面存在的问题进行了讨论,并展望了未来研究方向。

非静力地形重力波参数化方案对气候模式大气环流模拟的影响

本文通过在中国气象局BCC-AGCM3-MR(middle-atmosphere version of Beijing Climate Center Atmospheric General Circulation Model version 3)数值模式中引入非静力地形重力波参数化方案,研究非静力效应对次网格地形重力波垂直动量传输及大气环流的影响.本研究开展了两组次网格地形重力波参数化方案试验,分别采用原有的静力地形重力波参数化方案以及考虑非静力效应的新方案.结果表明,在南半球冬季,新方案相比原方案在南极地区将更多的地形重力波动量通量上传至平流层高层,产生更强的地形重力波拖曳.地形重力波拖曳经向梯度的增强导致更强的绝热下沉增温,从而减弱南极极涡的冷偏差和西风偏差.此外,南半球中高纬地区的行星Rossby波上传也增强,同样有利于极涡西风偏差的减少.在两者共同作用下,有效缓解了模式中的南极极涡破碎延迟问题.在北半球冬季,新方案对大尺度环流的整体影响并不显著,但是能够显著改善青藏高原复杂地形区的东风偏差.

高原强对流和高原涡东移的协同作用对下游强降水过程的影响

基于印度静止气象卫星高分辨OLR资料、国家气象科学数据中心降水资料和ERA5再分析资料,诊断分析了2016年6月28日12时—7月1日12时(世界时,下同)在青藏高原强对流与高原涡东移协同作用下诱发的一次高原及其下游地区极端强降水天气过程。结果表明:高原强对流和高原涡东移之间的反馈协同作用对高原及下游川东到江淮流域的极端强降水过程有重要影响。首先,2016年6月28日高原涡在高原西部生成并激发高原对流,6月29日高原对流在高原涡的反馈作用下加强东移,高原中部强对流中心OLR值低于110 W/m^(2),高原上出现区域性强降水。随后,高原强对流伴随高原涡东移,高原涡移出高原后演变为低压槽向东移动;同时受对流层中有利于垂直上升运动和对流东移加强的一致性环流条件影响,对流发展异常强烈,导致6月30日—7月1日川渝至江淮地区出现持续性强降水过程,尤其是湖北东部到安徽西部有6个台站24 h降水量高于200 mm,3个站甚至高于300 mm,远超99百分位的极端降水阈值。

基于多源资料的高原低涡源地研究

高原低涡是活跃于青藏高原近地面层的中尺度天气系统,是高原最重要的降水天气系统,少部分的低涡移出高原后在下游地区常带来灾害性的强降水天气。“青藏高原低涡切变线年鉴”(简称年鉴)是高原低涡研究的主要参考资料之一,但受到高原西部地区探空观测站点分布不足的影响,年鉴难以监测发源于高原西部的低涡。为了进一步提高对高原低涡源地的科学认识,本研究首先分析了影响高原低涡发生发展的环流在高原东西部地区的差异,结果表明高原西部地区的环流背景更有利于高原低涡形成。再利用2005~2019年暖季(5~9月)风云-2地球静止卫星观测的云迹风和黑体亮温资料对年鉴低涡进行重分析,表明年鉴中大部分的高原低涡可以溯源至高原西部地区。最后分析了在高原西部的3个新探空站(狮泉河、改则和申扎)建立前后年鉴中高原低涡源地的差异,发现增加的探空资料使位于高原西部的低涡源地大幅度增加。综合多源资料的结果,我们认为大多数高原低涡起源于高原西部,年鉴的结论可能源于高原西部的探空站不足的影响。本研究确认了再分析资料在高原低涡研究中的可用性和有效性,强调了卫星观测资料在高原天气系统研究中的重要性和进一步增强高原地区气象观测的迫切性。

基于高分辨率再分析风场的高原涡三维识别技术及应用

高原涡(TPV)是生成于青藏高原主体的一类浅薄中尺度涡旋系统,其发生频繁、影响范围广、造成灾害强,是我国最重要的致灾中尺度系统之一。全面揭示高原涡的统计特征是本领域研究的重要基础。其中,高原涡的精准识别是认识其统计特征的关键。随着高时空分辨率再分析资料的出现,高原涡的研究有了更好的数据基础,然而,无论是人工识别方法还是基于较粗分辨率的客观识别算法都难以高效地适用于当前的新再分析资料。因此,亟需发展一种高精度的、适用于高时空分辨率再分析资料的高原涡客观识别方法。本文提出了一种适用于高分辨率再分析资料、基于风场的限制涡度高原涡客观识别算法(Restricted-vorticity based Tibetan-Plateau-vortex Identifying Algorithm,简称RTIA)。该方法首先判断高原涡候选点,然后以候选点为中心,划分多个象限,通过象限平均风场限定条件和象限组逆时针旋转(北半球)条件确定高原涡中心,无需复杂计算及对各气压层分别设定阈值,即可快速实现高原涡的水平和垂直追踪。基于1979~2020年共42个暖季(5~9月)、15466个高原涡(共计99090时次)大样本的评估表明,RTIA方法识别高原涡的平均命中率超过95%,平均空报率低于9%,平均漏报率少于5%,可以十分准确地对高原涡进行识别。此外,评估还表明RTIA方法应用于不同空间分辨率的再分析资料(如0.5°或0.25°)时,仍能保持高原涡识别的高准确率,其识别结果主要受涡旋自身强度的影响,对弱涡旋的识别精度比强涡旋偏低。该方法对其他中尺度涡旋识别也具有一定的借鉴意义。

大气热源对高原低涡不同发展阶段的影响——2013年7月个例分析

高原低涡是夏季青藏高原(简称高原)及其下游地区的主要降水系统。本文利用ERA5逐小时再分析资料、FY-2E卫星云顶亮温逐小时数据和TRMM 3 h降水资料,对2013年7月19~21日活动于高原的一次低涡过程进行了诊断分析。此低涡在高原期间的活动时间长达56 h,将其分为初生、发展及移出高原前三个阶段,着重分析了高原大气热源在低涡不同阶段的关键作用和机理。结果表明:此低涡在发展过程中表现为阶段性增强的特征,位势涡度倾向方程诊断发现非绝热加热的垂直梯度是造成低涡发展增强的主要因素,即非绝热加热极值所在高度的下方和上方分别有正的和负的位涡制造,从而加强了低层的气旋和高层的反气旋。进一步分析可知大气热源在低涡发展过程中也表现出阶段性增强的特征,最大值出现在正午时段,且在低涡移出高原前阶段最强。低涡的生成与地面暖中心有关,这归因于地表感热加热的作用;而低涡的后续发展则主要依赖于凝结潜热加热,加热高度位于对流层中层,这主要是由垂直运动将低层的水汽集中到中层,产生水汽凝结所致。

近十年高原低涡与中亚低涡研究进展

高原低涡是青藏高原地区特有的天气系统,作为青藏高原地区夏季的主要降水系统,其发生发展和移动对高原周边及其下游广大地区的天气气候具有重要的影响。而中亚低涡是引起青藏高原西北新疆暴雨、短时强降水、冰雹、持续低温等灾害性天气的重要系统之一,同时也显著影响其周边甚至我国东部和南部地区的天气气候。高原低涡和中亚低涡是位于不同纬度、范围,主要在500 hPa等压面活动的低涡系统,与青藏高原及其周边地区密切联系,且都位于我国西部上游,其对下游广大地区的天气气候影响深远。目前,在高原低涡和中亚低涡基本定义、活动特征和天气影响等多方面都已取得了大量成果,但对于两低涡之间的可能关系及其影响却鲜有涉及。本文在回顾已有研究成果的基础上,总结了近10年关于高原低涡与中亚低涡研究的主要进展并指出了存在的问题,强调了开展高原低涡与中亚低涡两者关系的分析研究是未来的重要方向之一。

Analysis of the Structure of Different Tibetan Plateau Vortex Types

Knowledge of the structure of the Tibetan Plateau vortex （TPV） is of considerable importance for understanding the generation and development mechanisms of this mesoscale system. However, our understanding of vortex struc- tures and our ability to classify them on a physical basis is limited due to insufficient observations. The high- resolution new-generation NCEP-CFSR （Climate Forecast System Reanalysis） dataset is used in the present paper to investigate the general structural features of various types of mature TPV through classification and composite struc- ture analysis. Results indicate that the dynamic and thermodynamic structures show regional and seasonal depend- ency, as well as being influenced by attributes of translation, associated precipitation, and the South Asian high （SAH）. The common precipitating TPV （type I）, frequently occurring in the west-east-oriented zonal region between 33° and 36°N, is a notably low-level baroclinic and asymmetric system. It resides within a large-scale confluent zone and preferentially travels eastward, potentially moving out of the plateau. The heavy rain vortex （type II） corresponds to a deep vortex circulation occurring in midsummer. The low-level baroclinic sub-category （type IIa） is associated with a low-level jet and mainly originates in the area 32°-35°N, 86°-94°E, preferentially moving east of 90°E and even away from the plateau; meanwhile, the nearly upright sub-category （type IIb）, which has a cold center at low levels and a warm center at mid-upper levels, is a quasi-stationary and quasi-symmetric system favorably occurring west of 92°E. A western-pattern SAH exists in the upper troposphere for these two sub-categories. The springtime dry vortex in the western plateau （type III） is warm and shallow （approximately 100 hPa deep）, and zonal circulation dominates the large-scale environmental flows in the middle and upper troposphere. The precipitating vortex in the southern plateau occurring during July-August （type IV） is not affected by northerly flow at low levels. It is vertically aligned and controlled by a banded SAH.