Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract Precipitation whiplash, including abrupt shifts between wet and dry extremes, can cause large adverse impacts on human and natural systems. Here we quantify observed and projected changes in characteristics of sub-seasonal precipitation whiplash and investigate the role of individual anthro...

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Main Authors: Xuezhi Tan, Xinxin Wu, Zeqin Huang, Jianyu Fu, Xuejin Tan, Simin Deng, Yaxin Liu, Thian Yew Gan, Bingjun Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38510-9
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author Xuezhi Tan
Xinxin Wu
Zeqin Huang
Jianyu Fu
Xuejin Tan
Simin Deng
Yaxin Liu
Thian Yew Gan
Bingjun Liu
author_facet Xuezhi Tan
Xinxin Wu
Zeqin Huang
Jianyu Fu
Xuejin Tan
Simin Deng
Yaxin Liu
Thian Yew Gan
Bingjun Liu
author_sort Xuezhi Tan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Precipitation whiplash, including abrupt shifts between wet and dry extremes, can cause large adverse impacts on human and natural systems. Here we quantify observed and projected changes in characteristics of sub-seasonal precipitation whiplash and investigate the role of individual anthropogenic influences on these changes. Results show that the occurrence frequency of global precipitation whiplash is projected to be 2.56 ± 0.16 times higher than in 1979–2019 by the end of the 21st Century, with increasingly rapid and intense transitions between two extremes. The most dramatic increases of whiplash show in the polar and monsoon regions. Changes in precipitation whiplash show a much higher percentage change than precipitation totals. In historical simulations, anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) and aerosol emissions have increased and decreased precipitation whiplash occurrences, respectively. By 2079, anthropogenic GHGs are projected to increase 55 ± 4% of the occurrences risk of precipitation whiplash, which is driven by shifts in circulation patterns conducive to precipitation extremes.
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spelling doaj.art-8a12520f98fc443bad59a44929f8a0382023-05-21T11:20:20ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232023-05-0114111510.1038/s41467-023-38510-9Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissionsXuezhi Tan0Xinxin Wu1Zeqin Huang2Jianyu Fu3Xuejin Tan4Simin Deng5Yaxin Liu6Thian Yew Gan7Bingjun Liu8Center of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of AlbertaCenter of Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen UniversityAbstract Precipitation whiplash, including abrupt shifts between wet and dry extremes, can cause large adverse impacts on human and natural systems. Here we quantify observed and projected changes in characteristics of sub-seasonal precipitation whiplash and investigate the role of individual anthropogenic influences on these changes. Results show that the occurrence frequency of global precipitation whiplash is projected to be 2.56 ± 0.16 times higher than in 1979–2019 by the end of the 21st Century, with increasingly rapid and intense transitions between two extremes. The most dramatic increases of whiplash show in the polar and monsoon regions. Changes in precipitation whiplash show a much higher percentage change than precipitation totals. In historical simulations, anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) and aerosol emissions have increased and decreased precipitation whiplash occurrences, respectively. By 2079, anthropogenic GHGs are projected to increase 55 ± 4% of the occurrences risk of precipitation whiplash, which is driven by shifts in circulation patterns conducive to precipitation extremes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38510-9
spellingShingle Xuezhi Tan
Xinxin Wu
Zeqin Huang
Jianyu Fu
Xuejin Tan
Simin Deng
Yaxin Liu
Thian Yew Gan
Bingjun Liu
Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
Nature Communications
title Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
title_full Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
title_fullStr Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
title_full_unstemmed Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
title_short Increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
title_sort increasing global precipitation whiplash due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38510-9
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