Tibetan Plateau increases the snowfall in southern China: a refutation to some trending views

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays a vital role in Asian hydrological climate. However, there is a lack of quantitative estimate on TP’s effect on snowfall over China. Some trending views include that the TP acts as a giant wall, blocking cold outbreaks and protecting southern China from severe snowstorm. Here, through topography experiments with and without the TP, we demonstrate that, compared to the world without the TP, the presence of the TP decreases snowfall in northern China by 60% due to drastically reduced moisture, while it promotes snowfall in southern China by 1500%, especially from November to March, through attracting cold air from the north and moisture from the south to southern China. The presence of the TP increases winter relative humidity substantially in southern China, which reduces human comfort. This work refutes some trending views and helps us correctly recognize TP’s role in China’s winter climate.