Climatology of near-surface wind speed from observational, reanalysis and high-resolution regional climate model data over the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract As near-surface wind speed plays a role in regulating surface evaporation and thus the hydrological cycle, it is crucial to explore its spatio-temporal characteristics. However, in-situ measurements are scarce over Tibetan Plateau, limiting understanding of climate across this high-elevation region. This study explores climatology Plateau by using for first time homogenized observations together with reanalysis products regional model simulations. Measuring stations center west plateau at higher elevations display mean standard deviation, confirming that increases increasing altitude. By exploring characteristics focus on seasonal cycle through cluster analysis, three regions distinct regimes can be identified: (1) central characterized high elevation; (2) eastern peripheral areas plateau; (3) Qaidam basin, topographic depression strongly influenced blocking effect surrounding mountainous terrain. Notably, ERA5 reanalysis, improvements horizontal, vertical, temporal spacing, physics data assimilation, demonstrates closer agreement measured conditions than predecessor ERA-Interim. It successfully reproduces identified regimes. newest ERA5-Land product does not show compared ERA5, most likely because they share parametrizations. Furthermore, two dynamical downscalings analyzed here fail capture observed statistics exhibit notable biases discrepancies also when investigating diurnal variations. Consequently, these high-resolution downscaling do add value reproducing Plateau.