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Making extreme precipitation projections more reliable using observational constraint

A joint study by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics and the Met Office reduces projection uncertainty in extreme precipitation by 20-40% in mid-to-high latitudes. The emergent relationship between present-day precipitation variability and climate model projections provides a new constraint for more reliable projections.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers design AI-based model that predicts extreme wildfire danger

Researchers developed an AI-based model that combines artificial intelligence and weather forecast models to predict extreme wildfire danger with high accuracy. The new method can produce forecasts of extreme fire danger out to one week at finer scales (4km x 4km resolution), increasing its utility for fire suppression and management.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 20, 2022

Future emissions from ‘country of permafrost’ significant, must be factored into global climate targets

The study forecasts cumulative emissions from the 'country of permafrost' through 2100 under low, medium, and high warming scenarios. Under a low warming scenario, permafrost would release 55 petagrams of carbon by the end of the century, while potentially releasing 232 Pg if left unchecked.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalAnnual Review of Environment and Resources·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 17, 2022

Maps of the past may shed light on our climate future

Researchers created global temperature maps of Earth during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a time period similar to our own future under climate change. The study found that the climate was more sensitive to carbon dioxide increases than previously thought, with sensitivity between 5.7 to 7.4 degrees Celsius per doubling.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 11, 2022

Climate models accurately simulate Pacific Northwest weather patterns, PSU study finds

A new study led by PSU researchers finds that climate models can accurately simulate large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Northwest. The study uses data from the state-of-the-art CMIP6 model and machine learning techniques to compare model outputs with historical observed data, finding a strong match between the two.

SourcePortland State University·JournalClimate Dynamics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 11, 2022

Climate risks for Gulf of Mexico coral reefs spelled out in study

New research simulates climate warming and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, finding that high emissions could lead to critically warm temperatures as early as 2050. Reducing emissions may delay this onset, giving coral conservation programs more time to adapt.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 5, 2022

Machine learning may enable bioengineering of the most abundant enzyme on the planet

A Newcastle University study has developed a machine learning tool that can predict the performance properties of land plant Rubisco proteins with high accuracy. This prediction will enable researchers to identify and engineer 'supercharged' Rubisco proteins that can increase atmospheric CO2 uptake and store in crops such as wheat.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2022

Are extreme heat waves happening more than expected? UCLA research says not yet

A new study by UCLA climate scientist Karen McKinnon found that the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave was roughly a once-in-10,000-years event. The research analyzed historical trends and climate model simulations, concluding that climate change is increasing heat waves and average summer temperatures at the same pace.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 28, 2022

Updated climate models clouded by scientific biases, researchers find

A recent study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences identifies compensating errors in widely used climate model protocols, known as CMIP6. The researchers analyzed five CMIP6 models and found large uncertainties in cloud microphysical properties, including cloud fraction, liquid water path, and droplet effective radius.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateSep 20, 2022

A better understanding of crop yields under climate change

Researchers found that models using soil moisture explain 30-120% more year-to-year variation in yield than those relying on rainfall, revealing a critical link between temperature and water supply for crops. Extreme heat is less damaging to crop yields than previously estimated, while drought and flooding sensitivity increases.

Climate data can help model the spread of COVID-19

A new study finds that climate data, particularly UV radiation levels, can help accurately model the spread of COVID-19. The research analyzed data from 196 countries and found that high UV radiation levels are strongly associated with reduced COVID-19 transmission rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2022

Over-reliance on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could increase climate and food security risks

A recent study by IIASA and Fudan University warns that relying too much on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could exacerbate global warming and reduce crop yields, leading to food shortages. The simulation results show that delayed mitigation and BECCS deployment could increase global warming from 1.7°C to 3.7°C by 2200.

Soil temperature can predict pest spread in crops

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that soil temperature can be used to predict the spread of the corn earworm, an important pest affecting various crop species. The research reveals three geographic zones where the pest can overwinter, and models suggest that these zones will shift northward due to climate change.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 5, 2022

Global analysis identifies at-risk forests

Forests face risks from climate change in three dimensions: carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest loss from disturbances. The study found higher risks in southern boreal forests and drier regions of the Amazon and African tropics.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2022

Climate change is increasing frequency of fish mass die-offs

A study found that air and water temperatures are reliable predictors of fish mass mortality events. The researchers predict an approximate six-fold increase in the frequency of fish mortality events by 2100 based on local water temperature projections, and a 34-fold increase based on air temperature projections.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2022

Climate change: Australian bushfires linked to largest stratospheric warming recorded in three decades

A study published in Scientific Reports found that Australian bushfires contributed to the highest recorded temperature in the lower stratosphere since the early 1990s. The smoke aerosols emitted by the fires led to a significant increase in stratospheric temperatures, with a modelled temperature spike of around 0.65 degrees Celsius.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 25, 2022

Climate researchers correct faulty rainfall predictions for China’s breadbasket

Researchers identified a previously unidentified major shift in atmospheric flows from the North Atlantic as a result of a weakening jet stream. This shift has led to incorrect climate predictions for spring rainfall over northeast China, which is vital for the country's food security and the world's ability to feed itself.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateAug 17, 2022

Plate tectonics drives ocean oxygenation

Researchers used a three-dimensional climate model to recreate Earth's history and found that changing continents significantly increased ocean oxygen levels. This new study reveals the previously underestimated role of plate tectonics in shaping ocean biodiversity.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2022

Propane - a solution for more sustainable air conditioning

A new study suggests that using propane as a refrigerant in air conditioners could significantly reduce the global temperature increase from space cooling, with a potential decrease of up to 0.09°C by the end of the century. This is due to propane's low global warming potential score of less than 1.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 16, 2022

Coarse sea spray keeps lightning strikes away

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered that coarse sea spray significantly reduces the amount of lightning in storm clouds. The study found that aerosols larger than 1 micron, or coarse sea spray, inhibit lightning by up to 90%, while smaller aerosols actually increase lightning and affect rainfall.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 8, 2022

Future-proofing the Great Lakes region through climate research: Improved regional climate models will help the Great Lakes Region become more informed, ready and resilient

A new study uses high-resolution regional model experiments to explore how lake surface temperatures may affect the climate of the Great Lakes region. Small differences in lake surface temperatures can have a significant impact on summer climate and fuel extreme weather events.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·DateAug 3, 2022

First global map of cargo ship pollution reveals effects of fuel regulations

A new study used satellite data to determine the effect of fuel regulations on sulfur pollution from cargo ships. The research team found significant changes in pollution after regulations went into effect, and their data can contribute to understanding how pollutants interact with clouds and affect global temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022

Cloud study demystifies impact of aerosols

Aerosol particles in the atmosphere have a bigger impact on cloud cover than previously thought, increasing it by approximately 10%. Clouds hold more water before rainfall occurs due to smaller and more numerous droplets, leading to reduced precipitation. The study uses satellite data and machine learning to improve climate models.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 1, 2022