Effects of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau on the Circulation Features over the Plateau and Its Surrounding Areas

Areview of the effects of the Tibetan Plateau on circulation features over the plateau and its surrounding areas has been made, with a special emphasis upon the monsoon circulations in South Asia and East Asia. This includes estimates of heat sources, dynamic and thermal effects of the plateau, and effects of the plateau on summer and winter monsoons. Major progresses made in this aspect by Chinese meteorologists have been specifically described and are compared with the achievements made by the meteorologists of other countries.