Multiscale processes of orographic precipitation in the Western Himalayas

This thesis presents an all-season daily precipitation climatology for the Western Himalayas. Firstly, seven clusters were employed to define relatively mild, moderate, and wet regimes, showing distinct seasonality and synoptic meteorology. Secondly, the long-term relationship between aerosols and heavy precipitation is investigated in monsoonal regimes by eliminating the influence of covariates. Lastly, the role of Himalayan orography in extreme precipitation is studied using Weather Research and Forecast model simulations. These analyses help understand the nature of relationship between aerosols and monsoonal heavy precipitation and identify large-scale to local processes causing extreme precipitation in mountainous regions such as the Western Himalayas.