Arid Zone Research ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 223-235.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.02.04

• Weather and Climate • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of cloud water resources in the Tarim Basin in summer

MA Chao1(), LIU Yan2, LIU Jing3(), YANG Lianmei3   

  1. 1. Xinjiang Meteorological Observatory, Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang, China
    2. Xinjiang Climate Center, Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang, China
    3. Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2024-09-02 Revised:2024-12-10 Online:2025-02-15 Published:2025-02-21
  • Contact: LIU Jing E-mail:sonteryfan@aliyun.com;994365768@qq.com

Abstract:

Scientifically assessing cloud water resources and studying the distribution and evolution of cloud water resources is of great significance to guide the local weather modification work, accelerate the development and utilization of aerial water resources, and alleviate water shortage. In this study, the monthly reanalysis data of ERA-5 from 1979 to 2022 and the EOF decomposition method were used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of cloud water resources in the Tarim Basin in summer. The following results were revealed. (1) Regarding spatial distribution, the atmospheric water vapor content in the Tarim Basin was higher in the west, lower in the east, and slightly higher in the north than in the south. The water vapor content of the whole layer in the basin displayed an increasing trend in the past 44 years. (2) The two modes of EOF revealed that the water vapor transport in the basin in summer was mainly consistent in the whole region, followed by more water vapor transport in the southwest and less in the northeast. (3) The total cloud cover and cloud water content in summer were higher in the north and south and lower in the middle of the Tarim Basin, and the cloud cover in the mountainous areas was higher than that in the oasis and desert areas. Meanwhile, the cloud ice water content in the north was higher than that in the south of the basin in summer, and the cloud liquid water content in the south was higher than that in the north. The largest cloud liquid water content in the basin was concentrated in the Pamir Plateau, and the peak value of the cloud ice water content was located in the Tianshan Mountains. (4) The mountainous areas and the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains were dominated by water-bearing medium and low clouds. In contrast, the cloud water thickness in the Tianshan Mountains was deeper, and the cloud ice water content was larger. A significant increase in cloud water content was observed in the mountainous areas of the Kunlun Mountains and the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains, while a decrease was observed in the Tianshan Mountains after 2000. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for assessing aerial cloud water content and weather modification operations in the Tarim Basin.

Key words: Tarim Basin, water vapor content, cloud water content, spatial distribution, time variation