Seasonal and Spatial Variations of Vertical Profile Heating (VPH) Latent Heat Over Northern East Asia Based on GPM Observations

Abstract Latent heating (LH) from precipitation strongly modulates convection and large‐scale circulation, yet its three‐dimensional structure at mid‐high latitudes remains under‐characterized. Utilizing 2014–2021 Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) observations and the vertical profile heating (VPH) method, we quantify LH over northern East Asia (30°–60°N, 105°–140°E) and document its seasonal, meridional, and land‐sea contrasts. Relative to spring/autumn, summer precipitation exhibits higher rain tops, elevated positive/negative turning points, and stronger LH with peak release occurring 1–2 km higher for comparable near‐surface rain rates or echo‐top heights viewing the average latent heat profiles. From 30°N to 60°N, the heights of maximum heating, the sign‐change (turning) levels, and the LH top all decrease poleward by ∼1–2 km consistent with lower freezing levels in colder climates. The horizontal pattern of LH mirrors both latitude and land‐sea distribution: heating at ∼5 km is amplified over coastal/peninsular regions compared with inland mountains. Spectral analyses show that increasing precipitation intensity shifts profiles toward convective‐type, column‐deep heating and lowers the turning level. Intercomparisons with GPM Goddard convective‐stratiform heating (CSH) and spectral latent heating (SLH) products confirm the temporal and vertical robustness of these patterns; mid‐tropospheric heating is comparable across data sets, whereas VPH retrieves markedly stronger low‐level cooling than CSH/SLH. Uncertainties arise from DPR's limited snowfall sensitivity (winter underestimation) and potential low‐level cold bias in VPH, where raindrop breakup mimics evaporation. These results provide a midlatitude LH climatology that benchmarks models, clarifies seasonal/meridional controls on LH vertical structure, and informs simulations of monsoon evolution and extratropical cyclone development.