Asymmetrical Precipitation Sensitivity to Temperature Across Global Dry and Wet Regions

Global warming is expected to increase precipitation extremes. However, the response of extreme precipitation to global warming in various climates remains unclear. Here, we analyzed changes in the sensitivities of extreme and mean precipitation to temperature across the dry and wet regions of the world during 1960-1999 and 2060-2099 using global climate models. Both extreme and mean precipitation exhibited similar spatial patterns; however, the magnitude of sensitivity for extreme precipitation was approximately three times higher (19%/K) than for mean precipitation (6%/K). A higher precipitation sensitivity to temperature was observed in the dry regions than in the wet regions. Dry regions exhibited a four- to five-fold higher temperature sensitivity for mean precipitation, and marginally higher temperature sensitivity for extreme precipitation than wet regions. These findings highlight the importance of implementing adaptive strategies to alleviate the effects of global warming on dryland ecosystems.

Automated summary

Global warming is expected to increase extreme precipitation, but its impact on different climates is unclear. This study analyzed the sensitivity of extreme and mean precipitation to temperature in dry and wet regions using global climate models. Both extreme and mean precipitation showed similar patterns, but extreme precipitation was three times more sensitive to temperature (19%/K) compared to mean precipitation (6%/K). Dry regions exhibited higher sensitivity to temperature for both mean and extreme precipitation compared to wet regions. These findings highlight the importance of implementing adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of global warming on dryland ecosystems.