The Indo‐Pacific Rim at Risk: How Rossby Waves Contribute to Extreme Precipitation Clustering

Abstract

AbstractClustering extreme weather events are concurrent or consecutive occurrences of disastrous weather in multiple regions, resulting in cumulative impacts. Here we discovered a significant increasing trend in clustering extreme precipitation events over the Indo‐Pacific rim over the past four decades. This trend can be largely attributable to the increasing frequency of the Rossby wave response, including the circum‐Pacific and cross‐Pacific patterns due to Rossby wave activity propagation, and the Pacific anticyclone pattern due to Rossby wave breaking. The three patterns show remarkable disparity in seasonality, persistence, and hydrological impacts. They can increase the occurrences of most severe precipitation by up to 5, 8, and 25 times, respectively. The Indian Summer Monsoon heat sources and La Niña are identified as key drivers, and the mid‐latitude jet streams are modulators contributing to the events. Our findings suggest that specific Rossby wave patterns may influence the potential evolution of future clustering extremes.