The escalating trajectory of global warming has been a concern for decades, but recent projections indicate an increase in global mean precipitation as a result of anthropogenic warming. This prediction, however, is clouded with a degree of uncertainty as the extent of this increase varies based on different emission scenarios.
One of the biggest challenges scientists face when making precipitation projections is the uncertainty in hydrological sensitivity and climate sensitivity. Hydrological sensitivity refers to how hydrological systems respond to changes in climate, while climate sensitivity relates to how the Earth’s climate system responds to changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
To address this uncertainty, scientists use an approach called the “emergent constraint”. This method constrains uncertainty in climate-model projections by using relationships between the current climate and future projections. In essence, an emergent constraint on future precipitation could integrate constraints on hydrological sensitivity and climate sensitivity, providing a more precise prediction.
However, it’s important to note that the sensitivity of surface shortwave cloud effect to anthropogenic warming contributes significantly to the uncertainty in hydrological and climate sensitivity. In simpler terms, the way clouds interact with sunlight is a major determinant of how our climate responds to global warming.
The tropical Pacific plays a significant role in this as the atmospheric circulation over the region and the different cloud types found here have a substantial impact on Earth’s energy budget. These clouds play a key role in reflecting sunlight back into space, helping to cool the planet.
Cloud-resolving models predict that precipitation efficiency (PE), which is the ratio of precipitation to total water available for precipitation, should increase with warming. This could potentially amplify overall warming, leading to higher climate sensitivity.
The changes in the precipitation efficiency of deep convective clouds, the towering clouds often associated with heavy rain and thunderstorms, control tropical cloud feedback. Therefore, these changes are crucial for constraining global levels and spatial patterns of climate change.
While projections indicate an increase in global mean precipitation with anthropogenic warming, there is still a significant degree of uncertainty due to hydrological and climate sensitivity. However, by understanding and accounting for these factors, scientists can develop more accurate models to predict future climatic scenarios.
