From July 11 to 30, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Meteorology (ITPM) has carried out the fourth Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Experiment of Atmospheric Sciences pre-test (hereinafter referred to as the Experiment), which is part of the National Key Research and Development Program and focuses on integrated multi-scale and multi-platform observations of precipitation processes on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The Experiment aims to obtain the multi-scale structure and cloud-precipitation characteristic information of precipitation weather system in the plateau, reveal the structure of the mesoscale weather system and the mechanism of its development leading to heavy precipitation, and provide data support for improving the numerical weather prediction (NWP) model of the plateau region.

Observers released the sounding balloon at the observation site in Hongyuan, Sichuan, China. Photoed by CHENG Weijiang

The Experiment harnesses new detection technologies and implements a synergistic ground-space-air observation strategy, combining various means such as satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), rotary-wing UAVs and multiband radars, to carry out the integrated observation of the plateau mesoscale weather system and its precipitation process.

The experiment team deployed a rotary-wing drone at an observation site in Sedi, Hongyuan, Sichuan, China. Photoed by CHENG Weijiang

It is informed that in addition to conventional ground-based and radiosonde observations, a variety of sophisticated observation equipment has been added to boost the observation of specific meteorological elements.

Editor: HU Yichen