Phys.org September 26, 2024
A team of researchers in the US (University of Illinois Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Georgia) investigated 21st-century hydroclimate changes over the United States during winter and the sources of projection uncertainty under three emission scenarios using CMIP6 models. Their study revealed a robust intensification of winter precipitation across the US, except in the Southern Great Plains, where changes were very small. By the end of the 21st century, winter precipitation was projected to increase by about 2–5% K−1 over most of the US. The frequency of very wet winters was also expected to increase, with 6–7 out of 30 winters exceeding the very wet threshold under the different scenarios. According to the researchers their results suggest that the enhancement of future winter precipitation was modulated largely by coupled dynamic and thermodynamic responses, though partly offset by thermodynamic responses. Overall, their results highlighted a high likelihood of increasing impacts from winter precipitation due to climate change… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Projected area-weighted subregional changes in seasonal precipitation… Credit: npj Climate and Atmospheric Science volume 7, Article number: 212 (2024)Â