Tibetan Plateau's Small Mountain Ranges Boost East Asia's Spring Rains by 25%

Small areas of the Tibetan Plateau significantly influence East Asia's spring rains, increasing precipitation by up to 25%, according to a study led by Professor Xu Xiangde. Known as Asia's "Water Tower," the plateau affects major rivers and regional climates. Researchers found that small mountain ranges on the plateau generate gravity waves that intensify the southwesterly monsoon, transporting more moisture from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The study, published in *Science China Earth Sciences*, highlights the importance of these waves in predicting spring rains, though challenges remain in climate modeling.