Variations of air temperature differences at different temporal scales over the Tibetan Plateau since 1961 and their possible causes

The air temperature difference is an essential indicator to measure weather and climate change. Tibetan Plateau (TP) a sensitive area global study on its variations of great significance for further understanding the evolution systems, scientific disaster prevention mitigation. In this study, spatio-temporal characteristics daily, monthly, seasonal annual scales their possible causes are analysed based daily observations at 59 meteorological stations over TP from 1961 2020 circulation indexes such as East Asian summer monsoon, South midlatitude westerly monsoon. results indicate that diurnal range (DTR) tends decrease 2020. Compared with situation in late 20th century, average DTR eastern turns nonsignificant increasing trend into pronounced decreasing trend, while western maintains trend. This phenomenon primarily influenced by minimum maximum temperature, precipitation atmospheric circulations. standardized different temporal shows trends distributed north–south east–west distribution patterns. mainly remarkable increase especially northern southeastern TP. Besides, increases also affect range. terms range, it dramatically factors, monthly (Mon-TR) first second half years, respectively. Moreover, westerly, monsoon main influencing factors have large influence Mon-TR June September, significantly reaches 54.2% 35.6%. impact largest August, 39%. July, 30.5%–33.9%. affected single or index. Previous studies shown warming mechanisms changed since 21st century. might provide foundation