Research on the Characteristics of the Convective Initiation During the Warm Season Over the Tibetan Plateau

ABSTRACT The convection over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is active during the warm season, but the characteristics of the convective initiation (CI) remain less understood. Based on the observation data of FengYun‐4A (FY‐4A) satellite from 2018 to 2022, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of CI during the warm season over the TP have been investigated. It is found that the CI mainly occurs on the windward slopes of the valley plains along the mountain ranges in the warm season over the TP, with a high‐frequency area located at 27° N–30° N, 87° E–92° E. CI occurrences are closely linked to monsoon activity, intensifying with the onset of the monsoon and exhibiting a northward expansion during summer. The CI presents a single diurnal peak at 13:00 (local solar time, the same below) and a minimum at 23:00. Daytime CI primarily occurs over the plains, whereas nighttime initiation is mainly concentrated along the hillsides. The study on the CI in the warm season over the TP is beneficial to deepening the understanding of the development of convection.