Evaluating the climatic state of Indian Summer Monsoon during the mid-Pliocene period using CMIP6 model simulations

Abstract

The Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) plays a critical role in agriculture, thereby significantly affecting the economy of India. Yet, there is a large spread in the ISMR variability for future projections (by the end of 21st century) as simulated by coupled general circulation models. Gaining insight into the variations of the ISMR during warm periods could enhance our ability to understand ISMR variability in the future. In this study, we have selected the mid-Pliocene warm period from 3.0 to 3.3 million years ago (Ma), which has similar external forcing (orbital parameters) comparable to the end of the 21st century. To evaluate the ISMR mean state during the mid-Pliocene, we have used six available Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) model simulations and their multi-model ensemble mean. Our analysis suggests that the ensemble of CMIP6 models is better than individual models in capturing the ISM rainfall patterns and its characteristics for the historical period of 1914–2013. During the mid-Pliocene, we find an increase in the JJAS rainfall over most parts of India in comparison to the pre-industrial period with an increase of 34% in seasonal precipitation. This higher precipitation conditions during the mid-Pliocene is accompanied by thermo dynamical (higher CO2 forcing led to higher tropospheric temperature and higher precipitable water) and dynamical (larger tropospheric temperature gradient between Indian landmass and southern Indian Ocean corresponds to enhanced moisture transport, enhanced low-level cross-equatorial flow and intensified Monsoon Hadley Circulation) aspects.