Study of low-level wind shear at a Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau airport

• Published in: Atmospheric research Vol. 311; p. 107680
• Main Authors: Huang, Xuan, Zheng, Jiafeng, Shao, Aimei, Xu, Dongbei, Tian, Weidong, Li, Jianjie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Aviation safety; Conceptual models; Doppler wind lidar; Low-level wind shear; Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau; Low-level wind shear; Doppler wind lidar; Aviation safety; Conceptual models; Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
• ISSN: 0169-8095
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107680

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is recognized as the world's largest and highest plateau, characterized by intricate topography and underlying surfaces. Within this region, volatile meteorological conditions and severe synoptic systems, including thunderstorms, turbulence, sandstorms, and notably low-level wind shear (LLWS), present safety hazards to aviation operations. Therefore, a comprehensive examination of wind shear at typical QTP airports is essential. Xining Caojiapu International Airport (ZLXN) serves as a crucial transportation hub in the northeastern QTP. The frequent incidence of LLWS events due to the airport's unique geographical and meteorological features makes it an ideal location for investigating LLWS on the plateau. This study analyzed 80 pilot reports collected from 2016 to 2021 to elucidate the spatial and temporal characteristics of LLWS events at this plateau-valley airport. Subsequently, reanalysis data and observations from ground automated weather observing systems (AWOS), a geostationary satellite, a Doppler weather radar (DWR), and a Doppler wind lidar (DWL) were comprehensively employed to investigate the underlying meteorological factors and weather patterns associated with these LLWS events. The findings revealed that LLWS events at ZLXN are predominantly triggered by convective systems, followed by cold fronts and downward momentum transportation, with a smaller proportion being induced by orographic winds and turbulence. Analysis of four representative LLWS events utilizing high-resolution DWL measurements provided insights into the types of LLWS generated and their potential impacts on aircraft operations. Conceptual models, aimed at establishing a foundation for the forecasting and warning of local LLWS, were also proposed based on multiple data sources. •A first comprehensive inquiry into low-level wind shear at a Qinghai-Tibet Plateau airport.•Identification of primary meteorological drivers of low-level wind shear.•Detailed analysis of high-impact wind shear events, providing valuable insights.•Development of conceptual models for forecasting low-level wind shear.