Detection and Spatiotemporal Distribution Analysis of Vertically Developing Convective Clouds over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia Using GEO-KOMPSAT-2A Observations

Vertically developing convective clouds (VDCCs), characterized by cloud-top ascent and cooling, are critical precursors to severe convective weather due to their association with intense updrafts. However, existing studies are constrained by limited spatiotemporal resolution of data and tracking methodologies, hindering real-time and pixel-level capture of VDCC evolution. Furthermore, large-scale statistical analyses of VDCC spatiotemporal distribution remain scarce compared with mature convective systems, particularly in topographically complex regions like the Tibetan Plateau (TP). To address these challenges, we integrated an optical flow algorithm (for dense atmospheric motion vector (AMV) retrieval) with cloud-top cooling rates (CTCRs, as indicators of vertical development), leveraging the high spatiotemporal resolution and multispectral capabilities of the GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK2A) satellite. This approach achieved pixel-level VDCC detection at 10 min intervals across diurnal cycles, enabling comprehensive statistical analysis. Based on this technical foundation, the most important finding in the study was the distinct convective spatiotemporal distribution over the TP and East Asia (EA) by analyzing VDCC detection data in three summers (2021–2023). Specifically, VDCC diurnal peaks preceded precipitation by 2–3 h, confirming their precursor roles in both study regions. Regional comparisons revealed that topographic and thermal forcing strongly influenced VDCC distribution patterns. The TP exhibited earlier and more frequent daytime convection at middle-to-low levels than EA, driven by intense thermal forcing, yet vertical development was limited by moisture scarcity. In contrast, EA’s monsoonal moisture sustained deeper convection, with more VDCCs penetrating the upper troposphere. The detection and statistical studies of VDCCs offer new insights into convective processes over the TP and surrounding regions, offering potential improvements in severe weather monitoring and early warning systems.