Significant increase of global anomalous moisture uptake feeding landfalling Atmospheric Rivers

Iago Algarra, Raquel Nieto, Alexandre M. Ramos, Jorge Eiras-Barca, Ricardo M. Trigo and Luis Gimeno ()
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Iago Algarra: CIM-UVIGO, Universidade de Vigo
Raquel Nieto: CIM-UVIGO, Universidade de Vigo
Alexandre M. Ramos: Universidade de Lisboa
Jorge Eiras-Barca: CIM-UVIGO, Universidade de Vigo
Ricardo M. Trigo: Universidade de Lisboa
Luis Gimeno: CIM-UVIGO, Universidade de Vigo

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract One of the most robust signals of climate change is the relentless rise in global mean surface temperature, which is linked closely with the water-holding capacity of the atmosphere. A more humid atmosphere will lead to enhanced moisture transport due to, among other factors, an intensification of atmospheric rivers (ARs) activity, which are an important mechanism of moisture advection from subtropical to extra-tropical regions. Here we show an enhanced evapotranspiration rates in association with landfalling atmospheric river events. These anomalous moisture uptake (AMU) locations are identified on a global scale. The interannual variability of AMU displays a significant increase over the period 1980-2017, close to the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) scaling, at 7 % per degree of surface temperature rise. These findings are consistent with an intensification of AR predicted by future projections. Our results also reveal generalized significant increases in AMU at the regional scale and an asymmetric supply of oceanic moisture, in which the maximum values are located over the region known as the Western Hemisphere Warm Pool (WHWP) centred on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18876-w

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