71 / 2024-09-05 11:05:36

Recent Emerging Shifts in Precipitation Intensity and Frequency in the Global Tropics Observed by Satellite Precipitation Data Sets

precipitation intensity,precipitation frequency,hydrologic cycle

The hydrologic cycle depends greatly on precipitation. With the expectation of climate warming causing substantial changes to the global water cycle, comprehending these shifts becomes pivotal in foreseeing how climate changes will affect society. Climate models suggest that as temperatures rise, low‐level moisture will increase. However, the specific impacts of this heightened moisture on the intensity and frequency of precipitation events remain uncertain. Analyzing data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (1998–2019), we found notable changes: a 23 ± 2% increase in light rain intensity, a 9 ± 2 % decrease in heavy rain intensity, a 13 ± 2 % rise in heavy rain frequency, and a significant 24 ± 1% decrease in light rain frequency. These changes result diverse factors like warming oceans, stabilized atmospheric conditions, increased water vapor, and weakened upward velocity. This underscores the intricate interplay between different rainfall types and how they respond to the evolving climate.