Articles published on Model Intercomparison
Authors
Select Authors
Journals
Select Journals
Duration
Select Duration
9007 Search results
Sort by Recency
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0184.1
- May 15, 2026
- Journal of Climate
- Hao Li + 4 more
Abstract El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the leading mode of coupled ocean–atmosphere climate variability on interannual time scales over the tropical Pacific and substantially influences the global climate system. There is great heat redistribution between the equatorial and off-equatorial Pacific regions during ENSO events, which can be described by the “recharge–discharge oscillator” paradigm. By analyzing a 35-member Community Earth System Model (CESM) Large Ensemble (CESM-LE) and 25 Coupled Model Intercomparison Model phase 6 (CMIP6) models, this study investigated the changes in ENSO-induced ocean heat content (OHC) redistribution under global warming. We find decreased heat convergence at 5°–20°N during El Niño and remarkably increased heat convergence at 10°–20°S during the decay phase of El Niño. These changes can be explained by the weakened poleward meridional heat transport (MHT) between the equator and 10°N and the enhanced poleward heat transport in the Southern Hemisphere, which can extend to higher latitudes and reach 10°–20°S. The changes in the MHT are associated with the negative wind stress curl anomaly induced by the reduction in precipitation near the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the enhanced negative wind stress curl anomaly at approximately 10°S induced by the increased precipitation according to the Sverdrup relation. Furthermore, the response of the potential temperature to the recharge–discharge process has a shallower vertical structure within 10°S–10°N, and the corresponding MHT also shoals, with enhancement above 150 m and suppression below it. These changes in the vertical structure imply that the ENSO-driven vertical thermal response of the ocean will shoal and the recharge–discharge process above the thermocline will become more important in a warmer climate.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0656.1
- May 15, 2026
- Journal of Climate
- Li‐Wei Chao + 8 more
Abstract Cloud feedback remains the main source of uncertainty in climate sensitivity estimated by global climate models (GCMs), largely because subgrid cloud responses are parameterized in GCMs due to their coarse resolution. This study examines cloud feedback in the global 3.25-km Simple Cloud-Resolving Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Atmosphere Model (SCREAM 3 km) through a pair of 1-yr atmosphere-only simulations with control and +4-K sea surface temperature perturbations. SCREAM 3 km produces a positive cloud feedback that falls within but at the upper end of the range of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and CMIP phase 6 (CMIP6) models and expert judgment. The positive cloud feedback arises from positive contributions from both high- and low-level clouds, with increases in high-cloud altitude and decreases in low-cloud amount and optical depth playing key roles. The stronger-than-CMIP-average feedback is mainly attributable to the high-cloud altitude feedback, owing to cloud tops rising nearly isothermally in SCREAM 3 km. The positive low-cloud amount feedback is weaker in SCREAM than in GCMs because estimated inversion strength (EIS) increases more dramatically with warming. A coarser 12-km resolution version of SCREAM exhibits a weaker positive cloud feedback than SCREAM 3 km, mainly because its low-cloud-radiative flux is more sensitive to EIS, leading to a stronger negative low-cloud amount feedback. With this process-level assessment of cloud feedback, this study reveals where SCREAM aligns with and diverges from conventional GCMs and expert assessment, providing insights to inform further model improvement and future expert assessment.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0260.1
- May 1, 2026
- Journal of Climate
- Lantao Sun + 5 more
Abstract The impact of future Arctic sea ice loss on local climate and large-scale atmospheric circulation has been extensively studied, including through the Polar Amplification Model Intercomparison Project (PAMIP). However, the influence of horizontal resolution on these responses remains largely unexplored. This study addresses this gap by conducting a set of PAMIP-type experiments in parallel using the Community Earth System Model, version 2.2 (CESM2.2), at global 110-km and Arctic-refined 14-km resolutions, with outputs regridded to a common grid to enable direct comparison. Sea ice loss is identified as the dominant driver of future Arctic precipitation increases in boreal winter. The Arctic-refined model exhibits a larger increase in precipitation over the sea ice loss region compared to the global 110-km model. This amplified response is linked to stronger updrafts and corresponding intensification of upward moisture transport. Additionally, daily precipitation variability increases in response to sea ice loss, with the change in the Arctic-refined model more than twice that in the global 110-km model, primarily connected to enhanced variability in vertical motion. Furthermore, both model resolutions capture Arctic amplification and associated dynamical responses, but the Arctic-refined model shows stronger warming and greater zonal wind deceleration over the polar cap. The thermodynamic budget analysis indicates that transient eddies associated with vertical motion are a major factor in the enhanced warming in the higher-resolution configuration. Collectively, these findings highlight the role of horizontal resolution in shaping Arctic precipitation and atmospheric circulation responses and underscore vertical motion as a key driver of this sensitivity. Significance Statement This modeling study examines how increasing model horizontal resolution influences the atmospheric response to future Arctic sea ice loss. Using the Community Earth System Model, version 2.2 (CESM2.2), we conducted two sea ice loss experiments, one with a typical climate model resolution and one with very high resolution over the Arctic, following an experiment protocol similar to the Polar Amplification Model Intercomparison Project (PAMIP). The results show that higher resolution leads to greater increases in Arctic precipitation and its variability in response to sea ice loss. Additionally, the simulations with high resolution over the Arctic exhibit stronger lower-tropospheric temperature and circulation responses over the polar cap compared to the coarser-resolution simulations. These enhanced responses are likely linked to resolution-dependent differences in vertical motion. Our findings advance the understanding of high-resolution modeling and highlight the critical role of horizontal resolution in accurately simulating climate and climate change in the Arctic.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1016/j.apor.2026.105017
- May 1, 2026
- Applied Ocean Research
- Jie Yang + 6 more
• Extreme precipitation patterns across different regions of WNP are evaluated. • Two concentrated precipitation belts are observed throughout the four seasons. • Mid-21st century projections are derived from HighResMIP ensemble means. • Future precipitation tends to get wetter in high intensity region, and vice versa. Extreme precipitation in the western North Pacific (WNP) is jointly controlled by complex circulation systems, which can be better captured by enhancing model resolution. Despite progress in evaluating precipitation in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), most assessments have focused on land monsoon regions or individual river basins, leaving the land-ocean transitional WNP insufficiently investigated. This study, leveraging the climate model outputs from the High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) of the CMIP6, examines the spatiotemporal characteristics of precipitation in the WNP and evaluates the simulation biases across different models. The results indicate that most HighResMIP models are capable of simulating spatial patterns of double‑banded precipitation zones that are consistent with observations, with higher skill scores compared to their lower‑resolution counterparts. Among these models, ECMWF-IFS-HR and EC-Earth3P-HR exhibit superior performance in capturing both annual mean precipitation and extreme precipitation characteristics. The multi-model ensemble means from optimal models reduce uncertainty significantly by much narrowed inter-model spread. Precipitation projections in the mid-21st century (2031–2050) exhibit a "wet-get-wetter, dry-get-drier" divergent development characteristic, indicating an eastward expansion and an increased influence of extreme precipitation toward lower- and higher-latitude regions under future warming.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0344.1
- May 1, 2026
- Journal of Climate
- Yingying Zhao + 1 more
Abstract Interactions between the tropical Pacific and the tropical Atlantic (TP–TA) play a crucial role in tropical Pacific climate variability and predictability on a broad range of time scales. However, the ability of state-of-the-art climate models to simulate these cross-basin interactions remains uncertain. This study systematically evaluates the representation of TP–TA interactions in 34 climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6). While models generally reproduce the spatial patterns of key tropical climate modes, significant biases are found in their amplitudes, seasonality (particularly for the equatorial Atlantic mode), and spectral characteristics. Notably, most models substantially underestimate Atlantic impacts on spatiotemporal aspects of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). To disentangle the bidirectional coupling mechanisms, we employ a linear inverse model (LIM) that allows selective isolation of Atlantic-to-Pacific versus Pacific-to-Atlantic coupling. Our analysis reveals two key aspects of TP–TA interactions: 1) internal Atlantic variability enhances Pacific climate variance across interannual and decadal time scales and 2) Pacific-driven Atlantic variability reduces tropical Pacific low-frequency variability. Although these influences qualitatively agree with observations, their simulated intensities are markedly weaker. Furthermore, we identify considerable intermodel spread in representing TA impacts on TP variability, highlighting persistent challenges in achieving robust model consensus. Our findings underscore the need to improve the representation of TP–TA interactions in climate models, particularly through more realistic simulations of tropical Atlantic dynamics and their seasonal evolution, to make progress in seasonal-to-decadal climate predictions.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jamc-d-25-0160.1
- May 1, 2026
- Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
- Min Khaing + 2 more
Abstract This study examines future changes in precipitation and temperature across Myanmar using bias-corrected multimodel ensembles from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) archive under shared socioeconomic pathway 2-4.5 (SSP2-4.5) and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Thirteen general circulation models (GCMs) were evaluated against observed data from 38 meteorological stations (1985–2014), and seven models were selected based on performance metrics. Bias correction was applied using the power transformation method for precipitation and variance scaling for temperature, and its performance was assessed for reproducing both baseline climate and extreme indices. Decomposition of uncertainty sources for the baseline period revealed that model and temporal variability are the dominant contributors to projection uncertainty. Future projections were analyzed for near-future (2021–50), mid-future (2051–80), and far-future (2081–2100) periods. Results indicate increasing precipitation across most regions, particularly during the rainy season, with the central dry zone and coastal areas showing the most notable changes. Minimum temperatures show a consistent warming trend across all scenarios and regions. In contrast, maximum temperatures exhibit mixed trends under SSP2-4.5 but a pronounced increase under SSP5-8.5, with the northern hilly region projected to warm by up to 4.9°C by the end of the century. Extreme indices also show a clear intensification of extremes toward the end of the century, especially under SSP5-8.5. These findings offer essential insights into Myanmar’s future climate risks and provide a scientific foundation for developing region-specific climate adaptation and resilience strategies. Significance Statement This study applies CMIP6 multimodel ensembles to project long-term precipitation and temperature changes across Myanmar under shared socioeconomic pathway 2-4.5 (SSP2-4.5) and SSP5-8.5. By bias-correcting model outputs and selecting high-performing general circulation models (GCMs) and analyzing both mean climate and extreme indices, we provide robust regional and seasonal climate projections through 2100. The decomposition of uncertainty sources for the base period and projection period shows how model and temporal variability affect the projections. The results reveal significant warming and shifting precipitation patterns, particularly affecting the dry and hilly zones. These changes have critical implications for agriculture, water resources, and climate risk management. Our work addresses a regional knowledge gap in climate projection literature and offers actionable information for adaptation planning in one of Southeast Asia’s most climate-vulnerable countries.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.5194/gmd-19-3257-2026
- Apr 24, 2026
- Geoscientific Model Development
- Haruki Hirasawa + 9 more
Abstract. We present a protocol for scenario simulations of marine cloud brightening (MCB) solar radiation modification (SRM), which we design for inclusion as a bridge simulation in the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP). This protocol, named G6-1.5K-MCB, parallels the existing G6-1.5K-SAI, but it simulates injecting sea salt aerosol (iSSA) into the lower marine boundary layer to create a MCB scenario. Using information taken from recent modeling studies, we propose to apply MCB iSSA emissions in the midlatitudes, which can produce a surface temperature response that more closely resembles the opposite of the greenhouse gas (GHG) warming pattern without invoking the La Niña response that has been predicted in previous studies. In many ways, this approach is analogous to the choice of emissions at 30° N and 30° S for stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) in G6-1.5K-SAI. Owing to substantial uncertainty in the aerosol-cloud forcing from MCB, we outline recommended benchmark simulations to facilitate similar simulations of cloud brightening across different models. We present simulations of the G6-1.5K-MCB protocol using three Earth System Models (ESMs). All three ESMs show that for an intermediate baseline GHG emission trajectory, midlatitude MCB can maintain 21st century global mean surface temperature (GMST) at 2020–2039 temperatures. The iSSA emission rates required to maintain this target vary by a factor of 20 across the ESMs due to differences in the size distribution of the emitted iSSA and in the representations of aerosol-cloud interactions, demonstrating the importance of benchmark simulations for both understanding uncertainties and setting up the scenario simulations. Temperature and precipitation anomalies are greatly reduced relative to the GHG warming background, with most regions experiencing no statistically significant changes relative to the reference period. In some regions, there is a notable seasonal cycle in the residual climate change, though the anomalies are still much smaller than the GHG warming impact. On the basis of the promising results from this three-model testbed, we propose that the G6-1.5K-MCB serve as a basis for future model intercomparison protocols. This will enable further estimation of the structural uncertainties of ESMs in the climate response to MCB and provide a valuable dataset for more detailed analysis of the potential impacts of MCB.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.5194/cp-22-861-2026
- Apr 22, 2026
- Climate of the Past
- Abigail E C Buchan + 5 more
Abstract. Studies of the Late Pliocene have frequently been used as a means to improve our understanding of the climate system in a warmer state. Large scale features of Late Pliocene climate, such as Arctic Amplification, will impact global circulation including the jet stream. To date, the majority of Late Pliocene studies have focused on long term mean climate. However, considering interannual variability is important to fully understand the response of the climate system to different forcings. Using data from the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project Phase 2, we find a more poleward, yet weaker jet stream in the North Pacific during winter months, and increased interannual jet stream variability in the Late Pliocene compared to the pre-industrial control. This result is consistent across the majority of models, although there is variation in the magnitude of change across the ensemble. Using new simulations from the Hadley Centre Climate Model Version 3 (HadCM3), we find that changes in jet stream variability are due to orographic boundary conditions and are correlated with sea ice feedbacks. Carbon dioxide has little impact on the interannual variability in HadCM3 suggesting that the Late Pliocene is not an analogue for future jet stream variability. This change in jet stream variability in the Late Pliocene could lead to a change in the distribution of temperature and precipitation which could have implications for how proxy data and model simulations are compared.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.3389/fmars.2026.1794894
- Apr 22, 2026
- Frontiers in Marine Science
- Nicolás A Lois + 5 more
Anthropogenic climate forcing is altering ocean circulation and water mass distribution across the Southern Ocean, reshaping the habitat of circumpolar marine predators such as threatened crested ( Eudyptes ) penguins. Understanding species vulnerability remains challenging due to substantial uncertainties in climate projections. Here, we integrate two state-of-the-art climate assessment tools—storylines and time of emergence—to evaluate the vulnerability of crested penguins to ocean warming while explicitly addressing projection uncertainties. Using this framework, we select a discrete set of projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) that capture qualitatively different global circulation responses and climate sensitivity. Uncertainty in global atmospheric circulation responses, particularly the degree of intensification of the Westerlies, strongly influences both the magnitude and spatial pattern of projected sea surface temperature (SST) warming within penguin foraging habitats. Storylines and climate sensitivity explain a greater proportion of overall projection uncertainty compared to conventional CMIP6 scenario ensembles. We identify two groups of SST sensitivity among crested penguins: (1) highly sensitive species, including Northern Rockhoppers ( E. moseleyi ) and Aotearoa/New Zealand endemic species, and (2) species with broader distributions, such as Southern and Eastern Rockhoppers ( E. chrysocome ) and Macaroni/Royal penguins ( E. chrysolophus/E. schlegeli ), which exhibit spatially heterogeneous exposure and sensitivity. Spatial variability in exposure among widely distributed species highlights opportunities for targeted monitoring to detect early climate change impacts. However, limited data on population dynamics, gene flow, and foraging ecology constrain vulnerability assessments, emphasizing the need for expanded ecological and tracking studies coupled with environmental monitoring. We advocate for interdisciplinary, uncertainty-aware approaches and transparent workflows, including open data and code sharing, to strengthen future climate vulnerability assessments for threatened species.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.5194/gmd-19-3129-2026
- Apr 22, 2026
- Geoscientific Model Development
- Yue Li + 14 more
Abstract. The Land and Land Ice Theme in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 7 (CMIP7) represents the current understanding of physical processes in land surface ecosystems, hydrology, cryosphere, and their physical interactions with other Earth system components. Simulations from Earth system models (ESMs) could provide crucial information for assessing planetary safety, such as critical tipping elements, and be used to inform climate risks for improving climate impact assessments and policy decisions. This paper presents a collaborative effort to identify scientific opportunities in the Land and Land Ice Theme of the CMIP7 Data Request. The proposed opportunities build upon advances in ESMs, including new freshwater system and land ice processes being included in CMIP7, as well as the scientific community's demand for high-frequency and sub-grid-scale land surface outputs. In total, 25 variable groups that contain 716 variables have been identified to be potentially available to the broad scientific audience for performing analysis in land–atmosphere coupling, hydrological processes and freshwater systems, glacier and ice sheet mass balance and their influence on the sea levels, land use, and plant phenology. Key reflections from this data request effort include advocacy for closer engagement between the user community and modeling groups, reduction in the technical barriers to tracking existing parameters and defining new variables, and more streamlined variable management. These will be essential to enhance the usability and reliability of CMIP7 outputs for climate and Earth system research and applications to a broad audience that relies on the CMIP7 endeavor.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.5194/bg-23-2729-2026
- Apr 21, 2026
- Biogeosciences
- Lea Maria Gabele + 3 more
Abstract. The terrestrial biosphere absorbs about one third of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, thereby significantly slowing human-induced climate change. Its capacity to act as a carbon sink strongly depends on climate conditions, particularly soil moisture (SM), which can constrain plant growth and amplify land–atmosphere feedbacks. Therefore, accurately capturing these effects in Earth System Models (ESMs) is critical. Using dedicated experiments of the Land Feedback Intercomparison Project (LFMIP, an experiment within the Land Surface, Snow, and Soil Moisture Model Intercomparison Project, LS3MIP) from the latest generation of ESMs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), we show that projected SM changes substantially reduce the land carbon sink by the end of the century (2070–2099). This reduction is mainly driven by SM variability, highlighting the importance of SM extremes, which are projected to become more frequent and intense under climate change. Our results confirm those of the previous model generation based on the Global Land–Atmosphere Climate Experiment-Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (GLACE-CMIP5). The results show that the strong negative impact of SM changes on the land carbon sink shown for GLACE-CMIP5 is less severe in LFMIP. A more in-depth analysis reveals that this is due at least in part to the specific ESM sampling of the respective experiments, with participating ESMs from CMIP5 generally showing a stronger drying trend. Despite agreement on the negative impact of SM on the land carbon sink in most tropical and mid-latitude ecosystems in both sets of multi-model experiments, there are large intermodel differences in the projected magnitudes. As SM can influence land carbon uptake both directly and indirectly via land–atmosphere coupling, we conduct a contribution analysis on the impact of direct and indirect SM effects on carbon uptake, which reveals that SM–atmosphere interaction dominate SM-induced changes globally. However, models show disagreement on the magnitude of these effects. Intermodel differences arise mainly from varying sensitivities of GPP to SM-related direct and indirect effects, suggesting that differences likely stem from varying representations of water-stress related processes across ESMs. Our findings highlight SM–atmosphere coupling as a critical factor for future land carbon uptake. Improving the representation of water stress processes, plant hydraulics, and vegetation characteristics in ESMs is essential for reducing uncertainty in projections. Maintaining and possibly extending the experimental setup to a larger set of models in future CMIP generations will be key to advancing our understanding of SM-carbon interactions and consequently of the evolution of the land carbon sink under human-induced climate change.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1126/sciadv.adx4298
- Apr 17, 2026
- Science advances
- Valentin Portmann + 3 more
Climate models show considerable discrepancies in their future projections around the Atlantic, mainly due to uncertainties in the fate of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Climate models suggest a reduction in AMOC strength of 32 ± 37% by 2100 (90% probability, Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2-4.5 scenario, Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6). To refine this estimate and reduce its uncertainty, we use four different observational constraint methods. The best one, which provides the lowest leave-one-out error, integrates a large set of observable variables using ridge-regularized linear regression-a method unusual in climate science. It gives an estimate of the AMOC slowdown of 51 ± 8% (90% probability), i.e., a weakening ∼ 60% stronger than suggested by the multimodel mean. This refinement mainly results from correcting a bias in South Atlantic surface salinity, consistent with recent studies emphasizing its role in the proximity to an AMOC tipping point. This more substantial AMOC weakening has key implications for future adaptation strategies.
- Research Article
- 10.5194/gmd-19-2849-2026
- Apr 15, 2026
- Geoscientific Model Development
- Mara Y Mcpartland + 17 more
Abstract. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 7 (CMIP7) request for data pertaining to Earth systems science, and provides justification for the resources needed to produce this data. Topics within the CMIP7 Earth System (CMIP7-ES) theme centre around tracking of flows of energy, carbon, water and other fluxes across domains, and constraining feedbacks between these cycles and the climate system. These topics are summarized in this paper as scientific “opportunities” describing specific model intercomparison experiments and use cases for next-generation Earth System Model (ESM) output. These opportunities were submitted by modelling groups and scientific consortia following an extended public consultation process. Contained within each opportunity are requests for groups of Climate & Forecasting (CF) variables, which are bundled into variable groups representing all data required to address the opportunities' needs. Novel opportunities in CMIP7 compared with previous phases will include running `emissions-driven' simulations that integrate carbon emissions and removal scenarios with updated representations of the global carbon cycle, expanded variable groups needed to model marine trophic interactions and biogeochemistry, and data needed to understand the risk of global tipping points, among others. The production of these variables will close key gaps and uncertainties identified during previous rounds of CMIP, and support the 7th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report (AR7). We argue that CMIP7-ES data will be broadly used by scientific, policy, governmental, industry, and other communities that rely on climate model projections for research and decision making. As an author group we also reflect on the evolution of the CMIP7-ES data request as a part of a deliberative process in support of the global CMIP program.
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0341.1
- Apr 15, 2026
- Journal of Climate
- Asiya Badarunnisa Sainudeen + 6 more
Abstract Tropical South American summer precipitation is primarily controlled by the intensity and position of the South American monsoon and the intertropical convergence zone, both of which respond to sea surface temperature anomalies over the surrounding tropical oceans. Our analysis examines how well contemporary, high-complexity Earth system models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) simulate the summer precipitation distribution and its interannual variability under preindustrial climate conditions. Specifically, we investigate how El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Atlantic Niño—two major zonal modes of variability in the tropical ocean—shape tropical South American precipitation through remote atmospheric teleconnections. The quality of the simulated climatological mean state and interannual variability across models is primarily evaluated using pattern correlations with the fifth generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) atmospheric reanalysis (ERA5) product. The three models with the highest and the three models with the lowest field correlation with the ERA5 reference are selected for a more detailed study of their representation of major modes of variability and associated teleconnection patterns. We show that models with large discrepancies in the location and abundance of core monsoon precipitation also typically fail to accurately represent atmospheric deep convection and teleconnections associated with the zonal modes. Differences in the ability to simulate South American summer precipitation, even under preindustrial forcings, emphasize the importance of selecting an appropriate model for studying the regional hydroclimate. Our study further calls for future research using high-resolution models that explicitly resolve deep convection to realistically capture South American monsoon rainfall. Significance Statement Tropical South America receives abundant rainfall from December through February, which is dominated by the South American monsoon system and the deep convection in the intertropical convergence zone. Naturally occurring climate modes in the surrounding tropical oceans, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Atlantic Niño, also drive large variability in summer rainfall. Accurately representing how rainfall over tropical South America responds to modes of climate variability in preindustrial simulations is essential for evaluating the robustness and realism of climate models. Our study shows that models with more realistic atmospheric convection (upward vertical motion in the lower to midtroposphere) better depict the observed rainfall patterns and year-to-year changes over tropical South America, including the rainfall patterns shaped by the modes of variability. Models that better replicate these influences can be instrumental not only in understanding the future of South American rainfall but also in attribution studies of extreme events like droughts and floods.
- Research Article
- 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0194.1
- Apr 15, 2026
- Journal of Climate
- Erin Guderian + 4 more
Abstract This study evaluates the ability of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) climate models to simulate the observed effects of tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) on Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) variability. Using observational data and the large ensemble historical simulations of seven CMIP6 models from 1950 to 2014, we applied a cyclostationary linear inverse model (CS-LIM) to isolate the impacts of tropical Pacific SSTAs, Indian Ocean SSTAs, and their interaction on the interannual variability of ISMR. Overall, these CMIP6 models well reproduced the observed enhanced (reduced) ISMR variability from Pacific SSTAs (Indian Ocean SSTAs and the Indo-Pacific interaction), though with varying spatial patterns and magnitudes. Among them, CESM2 and Energy Exascale Earth System Model version 2.0 (E3SM-2-0) showed the best agreement with observations for the effects of Pacific SSTAs and the Indo-Pacific interaction, respectively. Composite analysis of ISMR anomalies during the developing phases of pure and co-occurring El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events revealed that the impacts from Pacific SSTAs were captured reasonably well by E3SM-2-0, CESM2, MIROC6, and MPI-ESM1-2-LR, while E3SM-2-0 also showed the best agreement with observations for the effects from the Indo-Pacific interaction. However, all seven models exhibited substantial biases in simulating the Indian Ocean SSTA impacts on ISMR, particularly during pure El Niño events. Overall, this study provides new insights into how individual CMIP6 models simulate the isolated impacts from the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, which have important applications for improving ISMR predictions and interpreting ISMR future projections.
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s44304-026-00207-6
- Apr 15, 2026
- npj Natural Hazards
- Parthiban Loganathan + 3 more
Abstract Rapid changes and increasing climatic variability across the widely varied Köppen-Geiger regions of northern Europe generate significant needs for adaptation. Regional planning needs high-resolution projected temperatures. This work presents an integrative statistical bias correction framework that incorporates Vision Transformer (ViT), Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM), and Geospatial Spatiotemporal Transformer with Attention and Imbalance-Aware Network (GeoStaNet) models. The framework is evaluated with a multicriteria decision system, Deep Learning-TOPSIS (DL-TOPSIS), for ten strategically chosen meteorological stations encompassing the temperate oceanic (Cfb), subpolar oceanic (Cfc), warm-summer continental (Dfb), and subarctic (Dfc) climate regions. Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM2-LM) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) outputs were bias-corrected during the 1951–2014 period and subsequently validated against independent historical observations (1951–2014) of day-to-day temperature metrics, extreme value distributions (99th percentile), and thermodynamic coupling (Diurnal Temperature Range). The ViT showed improved performance (Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE): 1.01 °C; R 2 : 0.92), allowing for production of credible bias-corrected projections. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, the Dfc and Dfb climate zones are projected to warm by 4. 8 °C and 3. 9 °C (Summer T m a x ), respectively, by 2100, with expansion in the diurnal temperature range by more than 1. 5 °C. The Time of Emergence signal first appears in subarctic winter seasons (Dfc: ~ 2032), signifying an urgent need for adaptation measures. The presented framework offers station-based, high-resolution estimates of uncertainties and extremes, with direct uses for adaptation policy over high-latitude regions with fast environmental change.
- Research Article
- 10.1002/joc.70358
- Apr 14, 2026
- International Journal of Climatology
- Su‐Ting Zhao + 1 more
ABSTRACT Compound wind‐precipitation extremes (CWPE) are among the most impactful compound climate extremes under climate change. Using three CWPE definitions (strict co‐occurrence, CWPE; temporal offset, CWPE_day_offset; and spatial offset, CWPE_space_offset), we systematically analyse the spatiotemporal evolution of CWPE over China during 1980–2022. Based on multi‐model outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), we further evaluate historical simulations, project future changes under SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, and SSP5‐8.5, and quantify the sources of projection uncertainty. CWPE shows a pronounced “more in the east, less in the west” pattern, with hotspots in eastern Sichuan and coastal South China. Nationally, CWPE decreases during 1980–2010 but shifts to an increasing tendency during 2011–2022. Introducing temporal and spatial offsets markedly increases annual‐mean CWPE frequency and expands the affected area, with a stronger enhancement from spatial offsets. CWPE is strongly seasonal, occurring mainly in spring (MAM) and summer (JJA) and least in winter (DJF). CMIP6 models reproduce the large‐scale spatial pattern but generally overestimate CWPE magnitude, and biases are generally larger when offsets are considered. Projections indicate persistent increases in CWPE frequency under all scenarios, strongest under SSP5‐8.5, with central and eastern China as the main hotspots and larger increases toward later decades and higher emissions. Uncertainty decomposition indicates that internal variability dominates projection uncertainty in the early period, but its relative contribution gradually weakens over time. In the mid‐to‐late period, model uncertainty becomes the dominant source and continues to increase, while scenario uncertainty remains the smallest contributor. This systematic assessment of CWPE helps inform climate‐risk management in China under climate change. Our results show that CWPE definitions strongly affect trend estimates and spatial identification; introducing spatiotemporal offsets increases the number of identified events and their spatial coverage, thereby providing a clearer signal of potential risk changes for climate‐impact assessment.
- Research Article
- 10.1111/jfr3.70207
- Apr 14, 2026
- Journal of Flood Risk Management
- Guodong Bian + 7 more
ABSTRACT Global warming increases the potential risks of hydrological extremes, such as extreme precipitation and flood. Limited attention has been given to the integrated effects of climate change, land‐use change, and socioeconomic advancement on flood risk under global warming of 1.5°C and 2.0°C threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement. Here, utilizing the latest coupled model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6), the new shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios (SSPs), hydrological model and future land use simulation (FLUS) model, we perform a comprehensive assessment of the flood risk in the Huai River Basin (HRB) under the global warming of 1.5°C and 2.0°C scenarios. The results reveal that (1) more intense extreme precipitation events will occur in the HRB under two global warming scenarios. The increases in extreme precipitation are approximately twice as high under 2.0°C than under 1.5°C global warming scenario; (2) under global warming of 1.5°C and 2.0°C scenarios, future 100‐year floods will increase by 18.4% and 19.2%, respectively, in the HRB; and (3) high flood‐risk areas are expected to primarily locate in regions with unfavorable flood regimes, with increases of 4.3% and 17.8%, and very high flood‐risk areas are projected to expand by 2% and 4.3%, respectively. Considering the holistic effects of future environmental changes on the flood risk, it is imperative to incorporate flood control management and prevention measures into regional adaptation strategies.
- Research Article
- 10.1029/2025jd044919
- Apr 14, 2026
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
- Chaitri Roy + 4 more
Abstract Ozone in the upper troposphere (UT) is critical for maintaining radiative balance at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). This study utilizes Aerosol and Chemistry Model Intercomparison Project (AeroChemMIP) simulations to investigate photochemical pathways influencing ozone production in the UT during the Asian summer monsoon (ASM). We analyze the impact of convectively transported ozone precursors like nitrogen oxides (NO x ), non‐methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO) on the sensitivity of ozone formation over the Asian region in the UT. Our results show an increase of ozone in the UT by ∼70% in the present‐day (2014) compared to the pre‐industrial era (1850). This excess ozone (∼35 ppb) is photochemically produced due to the elevated levels of NO x (∼152 ppt) and CO (∼21 ppb) in the UT along with its direct convective transport from the boundary layer. Changes in formaldehyde (HCHO), a proxy for VOCs, are negligible in the UT. Analysis of ozone in relation to its precursors (HCHO, CO, and NO 2 ) suggests that the UT is primarily NO x ‐limited, and ozone production follows the NO x ‐CO‐O 3 pathway. The UT ozone changes due to increasing ozone precursor emissions affect the radiative balance by exerting a positive ozone radiative effect of +0.9 Wm −2 at the TOA over the ASM anticyclone region. These findings indicate that suitable emission control strategies must be formulated to reduce NO x and CO emissions to limit ozone enhancement in the UT.
- Research Article
- 10.5194/tc-20-2053-2026
- Apr 13, 2026
- The Cryosphere
- Claire K Yung + 27 more
Abstract. Ocean-driven basal melting of Antarctic ice shelves plays an important role in the mass loss of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Ice shelf cavity-resolving ocean models are a valuable tool for understanding ice shelf-ocean interactions and for simulating projections of ice shelf and ocean states under future climate. Designed to assess the current state of ice shelf–ocean modelling, the second Ice Shelf–Ocean Model Intercomparison Project, ISOMIP+, consists of 12 ocean model configurations submitted with a common, idealised experimental setup. Here, we focus on the experiments Ocean0–2 (Asay-Davis et al., 2016), which are ocean models with idealised, static ice shelf geometries, but where the ocean reaches a balance with prescribed far-field ocean conditions. Different thermal transfer coefficient values (ranging from 0.011 to 0.2) are used for each model in the melting parameterisation to achieve a common, tuned melt rate since the models cover a range of types of vertical coordinates, ice–ocean boundary layer treatments, and numerical schemes. These model differences lead to spread in the resultant ocean properties, circulation, boundary-layer structure and spatial distribution of melting. We also highlight similarities between models, such as a shared linear relationship across most models between melt rate and overturning and barotropic streamfunctions during the spin-up and spin-down, demonstrating a robust relationship between melt and circulation across models and forcing conditions. The ISOMIP+ results provide a systematic comparison of ice shelf cavity-capable ocean models. However, we also demonstrate the need for realistic ice shelf–ocean model intercomparison projects (some already underway) to assess model biases and inter-model variation against sparse observations. Further research is needed to understand the differences between models and further improve our modelled representations of the ice–ocean boundary layer and ice shelf cavity circulation.