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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3136
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3136
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
23 Jun 2026
| 23 Jun 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Impacts of South Asian aerosol inflow over Mount Qomolangma on downstream cloud–precipitation processes through a long-range ice-crystal "seeding" effect
Abstract. Mount Qomolangma (MQ) serves as a natural laboratory for investigating aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Using satellite and comprehensive ground-based observations, we identify pronounced ice-cloud activation associated with transported exogenous aerosols. Under different large-scale atmospheric circulation regimes, ice-phase cloud activated over MQ can be efficiently transported downstream through distinct pathways, exerting a pronounced ice crystal seeding effect on cloud–precipitation conversion. The spatial patterns of these downstream pathways are highly consistent with regions of enhanced ice-phase occurrence, precipitation, and upper-tropospheric latent heat release. This study provides new insight into the downstream impacts of aerosol transport through ice seeding for cloud precipitation. The findings highlight the important role of aerosol-induced ice-phase processes in modulating cloud and precipitation systems over the “Third Pole” and its downstream regions, with significant implications for understanding downstream extreme precipitation and environment change under South Asian increasing anthropogenic influences.
How to cite. Xu, X., Cai, W., Zhao, T., Yang, C., Meng, K., Wu, C., Dong, N., Li, Y., Wang, S., Liu, W., Zhang, T., Zhuo, G., Zhang, S., Chen, B., Lu, C., Chen, J., Yang, K., and Xu, J.: Impacts of South Asian aerosol inflow over Mount Qomolangma on downstream cloud–precipitation processes through a long-range ice-crystal "seeding" effect, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3136, 2026.
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Status: open (until 04 Aug 2026)
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Xiangde Xu
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Tianliang Zhao
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory for Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation of China Meteorological Administration, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210044,, China
Changjun Yang
Key Laboratory of Radiometric Calibration and Validation for Environmental Satellites, National Satellite Meteorological Center (National Centre for Space Weather), China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China
Kai Meng
Hebei Key Laboratory of Meteorology and Modern Economy, Hebei Provincial Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050021, China
Chong Wu
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Na Dong
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences & Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
Yueqing Li
Heavy Rain and Drought-Flood Disaster in Plateau and Basin Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Plateau Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Chengdu 610072, China
Shunjiu Wang
Heavy Rain and Drought-Flood Disaster in Plateau and Basin Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Plateau Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Chengdu 610072, China
Wenqing Liu
Key Laboratory of Environment Optics and Technology, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
Tianshu Zhang
Key Laboratory of Environment Optics and Technology, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
Ga Zhuo
Mêdog National Climate Observatory, Mêdog, 860700, China
Shengjun Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Chunsong Lu
Key Laboratory for Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation of China Meteorological Administration, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210044,, China
Jinghua Chen
Key Laboratory for Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation of China Meteorological Administration, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210044,, China
Kai Yang
Key Laboratory for Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation of China Meteorological Administration, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210044,, China
Jianming Xu
Shanghai Meteorological Center, Shanghai Meteorological Service, Shanghai 200030, China
Short summary
Impacts of South Asian aerosol inflow over Mount Qomolangma on downstream cloud–precipitation processes through a long-range ice-crystal “seeding” effect.
Impacts of South Asian aerosol inflow over Mount Qomolangma on downstream cloud–precipitation...
This manuscript investigates the critical role of externally transported aerosols over Mount Qomolangma (MQ) in modulating ice-phase cloud formation, downstream precipitation, and regional thermodynamic feedbacks. The topic is of great scientific significance for understanding aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). However, several key physical mechanisms, theoretical foundations, and feedback loops require further elaboration and clarification before publication. The specific comments are integrated as follows:
1、The study states that aerosols can promote the formation of ice-phase clouds. It is recommended to supplement relevant previous studies to strengthen the theoretical and observational evidence supporting the linkage between aerosols and ice clouds.
2、This study concludes that under different large-scale atmospheric circulation regimes, ice-phase cloud activated over MQ can be efficiently transported downstream through distinct pathways, exerting a pronounced ice crystal seeding effect on cloud–precipitation conversion. The physical mechanisms underlying the synergistic impacts of MQ exogenous aerosols and associated ice-phase clouds on downstream cloud-precipitation processes should be elaborated in detail. Furthermore, it is essential to clarify whether such upstream-to-downstream impacts arise from an individual controlling factor or the compound effects of multiple coupled factors. In addition, it is necessary to explore whether this upstream-downstream transport process is more closely correlated with the occurrence of intense precipitation.
3、This study demonstrates that MQ exhibits high sensitivity to externally transported, high-concentration aerosols, which preferentially enhance ice-phase cloud formation and invigorate deep convective precipitation. The enhanced formation of ice-phase clouds leads to increased latent heat release, intensifying thermodynamic forcing over the TP and altering large-scale circulation patterns. I recommend further elaborating the response characteristics of externally imported aerosols to the MQ heat-pump effect, as well as the corresponding physical feedback mechanisms between externally imported aerosols and the MQ heat-pump effect.