TITLE:
Seasonal Difference of the Spatio-Temporal Variation of Precipitable Water Vapor in China
AUTHORS:
Qixu Li, Qianqian Song, Zhitong Qian, Ying Huang
KEYWORDS:
Precipitable Water Vapor, Distribution Characteristics, Four Seasons
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: This study analyzes the spatial and temporal
distribution characteristics of seasonal precipitable water vapor (PWV) in
China between 1979 and 2008. To achieve this, the observed temperature dew
point difference and atmospheric pressure at various altitudes of 102
radiosonde stations were utilized. The analysis involved calculating and
examining the PWV variations across the different seasons in the study period.
The results are illustrated as follows: 1) The annual mean and seasonal mean
PWV over China is characterized by decreasing from southeast to northwest. The
PWV has obvious seasonal features. It is the least in winter, which is mainly
affected by latitude and altitude, and the most in summer, which is mainly
affected by the monsoon. It is the medium in spring and autumn, with more in
autumn than in spring. 2) The spatial distribution pattern of four seasonal PWV
is approximately opposite to its variation coefficient distribution pattern,
that is, the monsoon (non-monsoon) areas with more (less) PWV have a smaller
(larger) variation amplitude. 3) The distribution pattern of four seasonal PWV
shows a consistent distribution pattern in the whole region and the winter
characteristics are the most significant. The abnormal variation of PWV shows
consistent interdecadal oscillation, and it exhibits an obvious phase
transition around 2002 when the PWV has an increasing shift in winter, spring,
and summer, while it is more complicated in autumn.