Variability of atmospheric freezing level height derivedfrom radiosonde data in China during 1958–2005and its impact to cryosphere changes

Atmospheric air temperature data from 92 stations in China’s radiosonde network were used to analyze changes in the freezinglevel height (FLH), glacier snow line, and ice edge from 1958–2005 (48 years) and to examine the impact of these changes on thecryosphere. In general, the FLH, glacier snow line, and ice edge exhibited latitudinal zonation, declining from south to north.Trends in the FLH, glacier snow line, and ice edge showed spatial heterogeneity during the study period, with prevailing upwardtrends. Temporally, the FLH, glacier snow line, and ice edge trends differed on various time scales.