The trend in the atmospheric heat source over the central and eastern Tibetan Plateau (CE-TP) is quantitatively estimated using historical observations at 71 meteorological stations, three reanalysis datasets from 1980-2008, and two satellite radiation datasets from . Results show that a weakening of sensible heat (SH) flux over the CE-TP continues. The most significant trend occurs in spring, induced mainly by decelerated surface wind speeds. The ground-air temperature difference shows a notable increasing trend over the last 5 years. Trends in net radiation flux of the atmospheric column over the CE-TP, evaluated by two satellite radiation datasets, are clearly different. Trends in the atmospheric heat source calculated by the three reanalysis datasets are not completely consistent, and even show opposite signals. Results from the two datasets both show a weakening of the heat source but the magnitude of one is significantly stronger, whereas an increase is indicated by the other data. Therefore, it is challenging to accurately calculate the trend in the atmospheric heat source over the CE-TP, particularly from the estimates of the reanalysis datasets. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is situated on the subtropical eastcentral Eurasian continent. It is the highest (average elevation > 4000 m) plateau in the world, with complex topography and surface conditions. As a strong heat source, the plateau directly heats the middle troposphere [1][2][3]. In spring, sensible heat (SH) dominates the atmospheric heat source over the TP and works efficiently as a huge air pump [4], for not only the onset and maintenance of the Asian summer monsoon [5], but also for the development of weather systems over east China [6] and even the boreal summer climate pattern [6,7]. Changes in the thermal condition of the TP and the atmospheric circulation in East Asia are closely related [8]. Zhao and Chen [9] investigated the atmospheric heat source over the TP and its relationship with rainfall in China, and concluded that this heat source in spring may be regarded as a good indicator of a summer precipitation anomaly in east China. They also showed that it had a clear positive correlation with summer precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Bai et al.[10] confirmed these results. Duan and Wu [11] pointed out that it is not adequate to study the influence of TP thermal forcing on the climate with an area-averaged heating index, because of the large area and various climate types of the TP. Under a global warming scenario, TP warming is powerful, and the warming trend is much greater than surrounding regions at the same latitudes [12][13][14][15]. The thermal condition of the TP is an important influence on atmospheric circulation, climate change and long-term weather processes. The relationship between TP heating and variability