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Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences


The Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River hits record high temperatures in 2024

The Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River experienced a new historic record for annual mean temperature in 2024, with spring and autumn recording their highest temperatures since 1961. The region also saw an acceleration of climate warming trends, with more frequent extreme high-temperature events.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJul 8, 2025

BABAR-ERI: A tiny satellite with giant potential for unlocking cloud and energy flow mysteries

The BABAR-ERI satellite will measure outgoing broadband radiation with low uncertainty and high spatial resolution, helping unlock new scientific discoveries about clouds and energy flow. The instrument's novel detector arrays and pushbroom imager will provide flexible observing strategies and easier access to space.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 2, 2025

International team identifies key to reliable tropical cyclone projections—realistic ocean warming patterns

A new review synthesizes decades of observational evidence and climate modeling advances to chart a path forward for more reliable TC projections. The team determined that tropical sea surface temperature (SST) warming patterns modulate TC genesis, intensity, and spatial distribution.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 26, 2025

A century of seasonal forecast improvement for the western pacific subtropical high driven by Indo-Pacific ocean

The Western Pacific Subtropical High's (WPSH) predictability has significantly improved over the past century, mainly due to robust oceanic signals from the Indo-Pacific region. Three persistent oceanic predictors have emerged as crucial sources of predictable signals, accounting for 59% of WPSH prediction skill after 1960.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·DateJun 24, 2025

Antarctica’s hidden wind jets: Study reveals storm-driven low-level jets near thwaites ‘doomsday’ glacier

A recent study reveals powerful low-level jets (LLJs) occur frequently in West Antarctica's Amundsen Sea Embayment, driven by storms and strengthened by cyclones. These winds significantly impact Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers' melting rates, influencing sea-level rise.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 29, 2025

Sun Yat-Sen University launches SYCIM2.0: A new climate model poised to join CMIP7

SYCIM2.0 brings together advanced components for ocean, atmosphere, and land surface modeling, offering flexible grid resolution for complex regions like the Indo-Pacific. The model shows impressive stability and energy balance in a 250-year test, closely matching real-world patterns of sea surface temperature and rainfall.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 23, 2025

New study reveals updating climate baselines affects detection of extreme events in China

A new study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres finds that updating climate baselines significantly alters the intensity, trend, and timing of detectable climate signals across Chinese mainland. Changing baselines leads to misjudgments in risk assessments and planning, especially in vulnerable areas.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·DateApr 15, 2025

Amount of sunlight reaching Earth’s surface varies over decades, researchers report

A research team found that stages of 'dimming' and 'brightening' correspond with increased air pollution and implementation of clean energy solutions. The study suggests that reducing air pollution can lead to more sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, which could have compounding benefits for solar power production.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 15, 2025

New dust forecast system "iDust" helps renewable energy industry manage solar losses

Researchers have developed a new forecasting tool called iDust that offers significant benefits for solar energy production by predicting dust storms with higher accuracy. The system provides critical support for China's expanding solar energy projects in desert regions, minimizing disruptions and financial losses.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·DateApr 14, 2025

Scientists trace hailstone origins using chemical fingerprints, overturning decades-old theories

A team of scientists analyzed chemical signatures in hailstones to determine their growth histories, finding most hailstones follow simple trajectories rather than the previously assumed recycling motion. The study identified key thresholds for hail growth and suggests that strong updrafts are essential for severe hailstorms.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 14, 2025

Research reveals the main patterns and predictive models of summer vegetation variations in eastern Siberia

Researchers identified three principal modes of interannual summer vegetation growth patterns in eastern Siberia, influenced by factors like soil moisture and sea surface temperature anomalies. The year-to-year increment method developed for climate prediction shows superior predictive capability.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 7, 2025

New study reveals key linkages between westerly wind bursts and El Niño development

A new study has uncovered important connections between Westerly Wind Bursts and sea surface temperature anomalies in the western-central equatorial Pacific. The research found that Westerly Wind Bursts are more frequent during spring developing noncyclic El Niño events, coinciding with localized warming of sea surface temperatures.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMar 27, 2025

Increase in hot–dry events in China with a high mortality risk over the past two decades

A recent study reveals a decadal-scale increase in hot-dry events with high mortality risk in China, primarily affecting the northwestern and southwestern regions. The findings are associated with phase transitions of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and interdecadal variability.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 26, 2025

Regional role in the discrepancy of Hadley circulation intensity trends between reanalysis data and models

A new study reveals regional differences in Hadley circulation intensity trends, with the Indian Ocean region playing a key role in the discrepancy. The research highlights the importance of accurately simulating diabatic heating, zonal friction, and greenhouse gas external forcing to improve climate model accuracy.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 26, 2025

High-skill information in subseasonal ensemble forecasting

A recent study assesses the forecasting skill of subseasonal ensemble models for extreme cold events in East Asia, revealing that some ensemble members exhibit significantly high forecasting skill. These high-skill members can accurately predict rapid changes in surface air temperature and minimum temperature during an event.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 21, 2025

Tracing the geological history of spring rains: Why diminished in North America while emerged in East Asia

A recent study reveals that shifts in paleogeography and climate change have shaped the spring rainfall pattern. Spring persistent rainfall has prevailed in East Asia since the Miocene epoch, whereas in North America, it only flourished during the Eocene epoch. Climate warming is expected to be a dominant driver of future changes.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateMar 18, 2025

Unveiling the mysterious “sprite fireworks” over the Himalayas

Researchers analyzed parent lightning discharges to determine the driving force behind the spectacular displays of red sprites over the Himalayas. The study found that high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes triggered the sprites, revealing complex upper-atmospheric electrical discharges.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMar 17, 2025

Deep learning technique enhances lightning risk prediction for power grids

Researchers developed a deep learning-based nowcasting model to predict lightning risks to power grids, accurately forecasting location and frequency trends of organized thunderstorms. The model achieved excellent performance in predicting winter and spring thunderstorms, supporting enhanced protection against lightning disasters.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 14, 2025

Effects of cold pool dynamics and vertical motion on the convergence of mountainous downslope and plain thunderstorm clusters

Research in Beijing reveals that differences in wind fields and thermodynamic conditions hinder or enhance thunderstorm cluster movement, with cold pools acting like topographical features to strengthen convergence. The study analyzed a specific merger process using simulation data from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateFeb 20, 2025

Researchers enhance flood season rainfall predictions by combining machine learning and climate system model

A recent study has employed machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of flood season rainfall predictions. The findings show that combining climate system numerical models with ML-based correction methods results in substantial improvements, increasing prediction scores by up to 7.87%.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 24, 2025

Methods enhance tornado damage surveys, reducing uncertainties in records

Researchers have introduced cutting-edge approaches to improve tornado record-keeping, including social media trawling, spaceborne photography, and UAV-based surveys. These methods aim to reduce uncertainties in tornado counts and refine intensity estimations, making global damage surveys more accurate, comprehensive, and timely.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 23, 2025

Sea surface temperatures and deeper water temperatures reached a new record high in 2024

A new study finds that ocean warming in 2024 has led to record-breaking temperatures across the globe, including a 16 zettajoule increase in upper 2000m ocean heat content. This rise in temperature affects weather patterns and marine life, with significant implications for climate change.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 10, 2025

Unveiling hidden climate dynamics: Researchers use mathematics of optimal transport to decode 21st-century climate change

A new method called Wasserstein Stability Analysis (WSA) offers fresh insights into climate change by introducing a perspective on extreme events and probability distribution shifts. The study uncovered a La Niña-like temperature shift in the equatorial eastern Pacific, which traditional methods had overlooked.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 7, 2025

Unraveling the physics behind severe flash floods in Indonesia's new capital on March 15-16, 2022

Researchers identified mesoscale convective systems as the primary cause of severe flash flooding in Nusantara, with MJO and equatorial waves playing a crucial role in MCS development. Local factors also modulated the intensity and duration of the event, highlighting the need for improved rainstorm forecasting and risk management.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 7, 2025

Unravelling how meteorological conditions cause changes in atmospheric fine-particle concentration

A new study published in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters explores the relationship between meteorological conditions and PM2.5 concentrations, finding that wind speed, temperature, and humidity play a crucial role in pollutant accumulation and dispersion. The joint data assimilation system developed by the research team improve...

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 6, 2025

Shedding light on the impacts of solar farms on deserts through the emerging field of “energy meteorology”

A study by Professor Carlos Coimbra examines the thermal balances between solar farm panels and desert environments, revealing potential impacts on local habitats. The emerging field of energy meteorology aims to better understand weather effects on power generation and distribution systems.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 3, 2025

Vector winds forecast by numerical weather prediction models still in need of optimization

Research suggests that numerical weather prediction models require improvement in simulating vector winds, with a study finding the ECMWF model outperforms the CMA-MESO model in forecasting vector wind fields. The study also highlights the importance of evaluating wind field variability for better wind power predictions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateDec 23, 2024

Mid-Pliocene informs future seasonal march of the East Asian summer monsoon

A recent study suggests that the mid-Pliocene warm period may provide insights into the future behavior of the East Asian summer monsoon. The research reveals that the seasonal march of the EASM was about 10 days earlier in the mid-Pliocene, driven by extratropical vegetation greening and tropical shelf exposure.

Independent rice paddy methane model validated for global applications: Study highlights emission mitigation potential

A study validates an independently developed methane emission model for rice paddies, showcasing its advantages over the commonly used emission factor method. The model provides a detailed simulation of methane production and emissions under diverse conditions, enabling more effective mitigation strategies.