The China Meteorological Administration has announced the operation of a weather monitoring platform at an altitude of 5,287.71 meters in the central part of the Kunlun Mountains in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China.
According to a statement released today, Sunday, by the Chinese news agency “Xinhua,” the comprehensive weather monitoring platform, the highest of its kind in China, is located in Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang. It is designed to monitor artificial weather modification and conduct scientific research on cloud water resources in the Kunlun Mountains.
The platform integrates various systems for ground weather monitoring, high-altitude drone observations, microphysical ice cloud research and monitoring, and aerosol monitoring through a LIDAR system (Light Detection and Ranging system).
In addition, it incorporates a high-performance LIDAR system, high-resolution video imaging technology, the Beidou satellite navigation system, and a stable solar power supply system, establishing a comprehensive ground-air-space monitoring network. The integration and application of these technologies hold significant scientific research value and application potential in accurately capturing cloud dynamics, improving artificial precipitation processes, assessing the impact of climate change, and exploring adaptation strategies for ecosystems in harsh environments.
This is the only comprehensive scientific research platform for cloud water resources in the Kunlun Mountains. Xinjiang has reached new heights in artificial weather modification and cloud water resource development and utilization, which is of great importance for water resource security, agricultural irrigation, and disaster prevention and mitigation in Xinjiang and the entire northwest region of China.
The administration stated that the platform will also provide valuable real-time data for global climate change research and ecological environment protection.
