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Optimization of key land surface albedo parameter reduces wet bias of climate modeling for the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers optimized a key land surface parameter to reduce the wet bias of climate models for the Tibetan Plateau. The adjustments weakened land-atmosphere interactions, leading to a 16% decrease in precipitation estimates and improved accuracy at 66% of rain gauge stations.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2025

New research helps narrow down uncertainties in near-term precipitation projections for the Asian Water Tower

A new study uses 100 ensemble members to analyze near-term precipitation projections for the QP, finding a complex east–west dipole pattern influenced by the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation. This helps increase consistency of precipitation projections.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJul 15, 2025

Less snow makes trees absorb less carbon, according to new BU study

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that warmer summer temperatures increase tree growth, but less snow on the ground slows this growth significantly. This means that New England forests' ability to store carbon in future climate scenarios is likely overestimated.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2025

The atmospheric memory that feeds billions of people: Newly discovered mechanism for monsoon rainfall

A new study reveals the atmosphere can store moisture over extended periods, creating a physical memory effect. This 'memory' allows monsoon systems to flip between two stable states, with severe consequences for regions relying on monsoon rainfall.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 7, 2025

Southern Ocean warming will mean a wetter West Coast

A Cornell University-led study predicts long-term increases in precipitation over East Asia and the Western U.S. as the Southern Ocean warms, regardless of climate mitigation efforts. The research suggests that accounting for cloud feedbacks in climate models can help explain uncertainties and improve predictions.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 2, 2025

Major changes to the Sahara Desert 8,000 years ago uncovered by Moroccan stalagmites

Researchers from the University of Oxford discovered that rainfall in the Sahara Desert increased between 8,700 and 4,300 years ago, coinciding with a rise in Neolithic archaeological sites. This finding highlights the importance of a favourable climate on early pastoralist societies, which relied on rainfall for their livestock.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 26, 2025

What happens in the ocean when two cyclones collide

When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalTellus A Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography·TypeCase study·DateDec 10, 2024

The within-year distribution of temperature and precipitation could rearrange significantly, challenging both modelers and nature

Researchers at HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research found that specific climate periods can shift by several months or even six months within a year, affecting species distribution. This shift poses significant challenges for distribution models, potentially leading to extinction or migration of species.

SourceHun-Ren Ökológiai Kutatóközpont·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 13, 2024

The risk of global water scarcity is greater when accounting for the origin of rain.

A new study reveals that risks to global water security are significantly higher when considering the environmental conditions and governability of areas where moisture evaporates before falling as rain. This approach identifies regions with high water scarcity risk, including those dependent on neighboring countries for upwind moisture.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Water·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2024

Long-term satellite observations show climatological characteristics of isolated deep convection over the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers found isolated deep convection (IDCs) mainly concentrate in the southern Tibetan Plateau, with an average of 54.2 IDCs per rainy season. IDCs contribute up to 70% of extreme precipitation in July and August, highlighting their significant role in regional weather patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 10, 2024

Co-amplification in tropical and extratropical atmospheric fluctuations caused heavy rainfall over Japan in August 2021

Researchers found that joint action of tropical and extratropical variations led to persistent heavy rainfall over Japan. The study revealed a link between upper-tropospheric blocking high, near-surface atmospheric flow, and cumulus convection in enhancing the northwestern Pacific subtropical high.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJan 17, 2024

Scientists unveil significant increase in short-duration extreme precipitation over mountainous areas under global warming

A new study reveals a disturbing trend of increased short-duration extreme precipitation over mountainous regions in Southwest China, exacerbating climate change impacts. The research finds that these events are more frequent and intense than total precipitation, posing significant risks to lives and ecosystems.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateNov 9, 2023

Extreme fires and heavy rainfall driving platypuses from their homes

A recent study by the University of Melbourne found that severe bushfires followed by heavy rainfall are causing platypuses to abandon their homes. The research used environmental DNA sampling to track platypus movement before and after the 2019-2020 megafires, revealing a significant decline in platypus populations in affected areas.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2023

Projection of China’s future runoff based on the CMIP6 mid-high warming scenarios

This study uses the EDCFM method to downscale and bias-correct six CMIP6 GCMs for China's hydrological applications. The results indicate that SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios will bring increased volatility in precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff. Multi-year average annual values are projected to increase under these scenarios.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateApr 18, 2023

Warming climate will affect streamflow in the northeast

A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Pusan National University researchers uncover causes for increased compound droughts & heatwaves in East Asia

Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.

SourcePusan National University·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2023

Antarctica’s ocean brightens clouds

A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that phytoplankton productivity in the Southern Ocean contributes to dense clouds that reflect sunlight. The high density of water droplets in these clouds helps regulate global temperatures and precipitation patterns.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2023

Kilometer-scale modeling better reflects the relationship between land and precipitation

A recent study found that kilometer-scale modeling better captures precipitation characteristics than quarter-degree resolution models. The researchers attribute this to the ability of kilometer-scale models to more accurately describe sub-grid topography and surface variations, leading to improved precipitation simulation accuracy.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateDec 3, 2022

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.