Precipitation Microphysics Over the Headwaters of the Tarim River Basin: A Striking North‐South Contrast Revealed by a Decade of GPM/DPR Observations

Abstract The headwater regions of the Tarim River Basin (TRB), Asia's vital “water towers,” are critical for the ecological stability of arid Northwest China, yet a systematic understanding of their diverse precipitation microphysics remains elusive. This study addresses this gap by analyzing a decade (2014–2023) of Global Precipitation Measurement/Dual‐frequency Precipitation Radar observations, complemented by ERA5 reanalysis, across the TRB's eight major headwater systems. Our analysis reveals a fundamental north‐south dichotomy in precipitation regimes, driven by contrasting environmental controls. The northern headwaters (Tianshan slopes), influenced by mid‐latitude westerlies, are characterized by a moisture‐rich and dynamically active environment. This fosters deep continental convection featuring efficient collision‐breakup cycles (large , high ) and stratiform rain with effective ice‐phase growth. Conversely, the southern headwaters (Kunlun slopes), adjacent to the Taklimakan Desert, exhibit a distinct microphysical signature. Here, shallower convection produces a “small‐, extremely high‐” raindrop distribution, consistent with aerosol‐inhibited raindrop growth, while stratiform rain is governed by the melting and subsequent breakup of large snow aggregates. These findings demonstrate that regional variations in moisture supply, large‐scale dynamics, and background environment are the primary modulators of microphysical pathways. This work provides a crucial observational benchmark for improving quantitative precipitation estimation and refining climate model parameterizations in this ecologically sensitive region.