Aside from some soundings from local meteorological observatories, the tropospheric atmosphere over the plateau has never been continuously observed, according to the ITP.

In 2021, China completed the construction of the ground-based microwave radiometers (MWRs). Based on MWRs and making use of eight nearest radiosonde observations, a research team constructed a comprehensive MWR troposphere observation system to study the synoptic processes and environmental changes on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

According to the observation, the team discovered that the heat island effect in the highlands of Qamdo and Nagqu was most significant. This provides a unique observational perspective for analyzing the heat island effect caused by rising temperatures on the plateau.

By comparing the MWR against the nearest radiosonde observation over a continuous three-year period, a research team from the ITP demonstrated that the TP-PROFILE MWR system is adequate for monitoring the thermal and moisture variability of the troposphere over the Tibetan Plateau, according to Chen Xuelong, a member of the team.

The system can provide real-time observations of oxygen, water vapor, wind speed, wind direction, and atmospheric pressure in the troposphere of the Tibetan Plateau around the clock. It also helps evaluate the impact of global change and human activities on water resources, according to team leader Ma Yaoming.

The team have made available the data they obtained to the public, according to Ma.