Global Warming Contributes to Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Extreme Precipitation over East Asia [Study]

Global warming is one aspect of climate change that pertains to the rise of global surface temperature. Although both terms are often used interchangeably, the former is easier to monitor and predict by meteorologists and scientists.

For decades, various terrestrial and marine systems around the world have recorded above-average temperatures at some point in time. Even some cities that recorded record-breaking temperatures during the early 20^th century have now been surpassed, in meteorological terms and recordings.

While climate change is known for altering weather patterns and refers to long-term shifts in temperatures, its compounded effect with the warming phenomenon is reportedly causing stronger extreme weather events and climatic phenomena, including drought.

In this context, a new study shows that global warming is contributing to tropical cyclone intensity and extreme precipitation over East Asia, a region that includes countries like China, Taiwan, and Japan has witnessed deadly flooding and rainfall brought by typhoons in recent years.

Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Extreme Precipitation

In the study published in the journal NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science on November 1, researchers found that expanded rainfall extremes of tropical cyclones, brought by anthropogenic warming, is affecting South Korea. This comes after a deadly typhoon and unprecedented heavy rain over the past year resulted in multiple casualties across the country.

This is based on convection-permitting (CPM) simulations, which the authors of the research paper used to measure tropical cyclone intensity and extreme precipitation. The study also provides the first quantification of anthropogenic impacts on tropical cyclone characteristics affecting South Korea using the said prediction model.

The CPM simulations were conducted without human influences and were based on observations in the four recent tropical cyclones that strongly impacted South Korea, including Typhoon Hinnamnor which killed 36 people in 2022.

Global Warming and Extreme Weather Events

In 2022, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reported that the rise of global temperatures also entails widespread shifts in weather systems, making phenomena like droughts, floods, and hurricanes more intense and unpredictable.

The NRDC points out that extreme weather events that may have struck just once during our grandparents' lifetimes are becoming more common in our time. Climate scientists have also warned that these damaging, life-threatening events can become more frequent and intense by the end of the 21^st century.

The impact of global warming to the world, including ocean warming or acidification, is evident. This is based on data gathered by meteorological authorities, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in recent years.

In January 2023, the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported that the global annual temperature increased at an average of 0.08 degrees Celsius (0.14 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade since the year 1880. In addition, the warming is more than twice that rate of 0.18 degrees Celsius (0.32 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1981.