Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations
Abstract The near-surface air temperature lapse rate is a crucial indicator that reflects atmospheric stability and is an important parameter for extrapolating regional surface temperatures. However, due to the scarcity of temperature monitoring stations and the complex topography of the Qinghai–Tib...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06204-5 |
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| author | Yue Jiao Yudron Tseten Quanlin Yang Lei Bai |
| author_facet | Yue Jiao Yudron Tseten Quanlin Yang Lei Bai |
| author_sort | Yue Jiao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The near-surface air temperature lapse rate is a crucial indicator that reflects atmospheric stability and is an important parameter for extrapolating regional surface temperatures. However, due to the scarcity of temperature monitoring stations and the complex topography of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, the true distribution of near-surface air temperatures in the region remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of near-surface air temperature lapse rates on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau using high-density meteorological stations and gridded data. The results showed that the average temperature lapse rate for the plateau in 2015 was 5.89 ± 2.42 °C/km, with significant seasonal heterogeneity. The lapse rate was highest in spring (6.38 ± 2.65 °C/km), followed by summer (5.95 ± 2.24 °C/km) and winter (5.80 ± 3.41 °C/km), with the lowest value observed in autumn (5.44 ± 2.82 °C/km). These rates exhibited a spatial pattern of being higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest, decreasing with increasing altitude. In autumn, the temperature lapse rate was primarily influenced by elevation. Additionally, the near-surface temperature lapse rate was lower during the day and higher at night, reaching its peak at 6.15 ± 2.88 °C/km at midnight and its lowest point at 5.42 ± 2.13 °C/km at noon. The results of this study were independently validated at the Qomolangma and Nam Co stations, showing good agreement with observations, which supports the applicability of the findings across the entire Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5e4ee0679c3c4058b21559d67d8c86b8 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5e4ee0679c3c4058b21559d67d8c86b82025-08-20T03:03:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-06204-5Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observationsYue Jiao0Yudron Tseten1Quanlin Yang2Lei Bai3School of Ecology, Hainan UniversityTibet Institute of Plateau Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Tibet Meteorological BureauYunnan Weather Modification Center, Yunnan Meteorological BureauSchool of Ecology, Hainan UniversityAbstract The near-surface air temperature lapse rate is a crucial indicator that reflects atmospheric stability and is an important parameter for extrapolating regional surface temperatures. However, due to the scarcity of temperature monitoring stations and the complex topography of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, the true distribution of near-surface air temperatures in the region remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of near-surface air temperature lapse rates on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau using high-density meteorological stations and gridded data. The results showed that the average temperature lapse rate for the plateau in 2015 was 5.89 ± 2.42 °C/km, with significant seasonal heterogeneity. The lapse rate was highest in spring (6.38 ± 2.65 °C/km), followed by summer (5.95 ± 2.24 °C/km) and winter (5.80 ± 3.41 °C/km), with the lowest value observed in autumn (5.44 ± 2.82 °C/km). These rates exhibited a spatial pattern of being higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest, decreasing with increasing altitude. In autumn, the temperature lapse rate was primarily influenced by elevation. Additionally, the near-surface temperature lapse rate was lower during the day and higher at night, reaching its peak at 6.15 ± 2.88 °C/km at midnight and its lowest point at 5.42 ± 2.13 °C/km at noon. The results of this study were independently validated at the Qomolangma and Nam Co stations, showing good agreement with observations, which supports the applicability of the findings across the entire Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06204-5 |
| spellingShingle | Yue Jiao Yudron Tseten Quanlin Yang Lei Bai Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations Scientific Reports |
| title | Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations |
| title_full | Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations |
| title_fullStr | Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations |
| title_short | Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface air temperature lapse rates in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau using high-density meteorological observations |
| title_sort | spatiotemporal variability of near surface air temperature lapse rates in the qinghai tibet plateau using high density meteorological observations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06204-5 |
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