Future changes in the South Asian summer monsoon: An analysis of the CMIP3 multimodel projections

Fangxing Fan, Michael E. Mann, Sukyoung Lee, Jenni L. Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The projected future behavior of the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) is analyzed for the 720-ppm stabilization experiments [Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1B] of phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) simulations. The multimodel ensemble collectively exhibits a clear tendency for weakening SASM circulation and strengthening SASM precipitation during the twenty-first century. These tendencies are consistent, moreover, among multiple realizations for the same model where available. An annual correlation analysis and thermodynamic energy budget analysis are used to investigate the changes in themonsoon circulation, precipitation (latent heating), and dry static stability across time scales of variation. The strength of the SASM circulation is interpreted in terms of two competing factors: convective latent heating and dry static stability. It is found that on interannual time scales the latent heating wins out over the dry static stability to dominate the interannual fluctuations of the monsoonal circulation. However, the long-term trends in the SASM circulation are governed by the competing effects of the convective latent heating term and the adiabatic term to modify dry static stability in the thermodynamic energy budget.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3909-3928
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Climate
Volume25
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atmospheric Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Future changes in the South Asian summer monsoon: An analysis of the CMIP3 multimodel projections'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this