Dynamics and characteristics of dry and moist heatwaves over East Asia

Abstract

The increasing frequency of heatwaves over East Asia (EA) is impacting agriculture, water management, and people’s livelihood. However, the effect of humidity on high-temperature events has not yet been fully explored. Using observations and future climate change projections conducted with the latest generation of Earth System models, we examine the mechanisms of dry and moist heatwaves over EA. In the dry heatwave region, anticyclonic circulation has been amplified after the onset of heatwaves under the influence of the convergence of anomalous wave activity flux over northern EA, resulting in surface warming via adiabatic processes. In contrast, the moist heatwaves are triggered by the locally generated anticyclonic anomalies, with the surface warming amplified by cloud and water vapor feedback. Model simulations from phase six of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project projected display intensification of dry heatwaves and increased moist heatwave days in response to projected increases in greenhouse gas concentrations.

Role of Land–Atmosphere Interaction in the 2016 Northeast Asia Heat Wave: Impact of Soil Moisture Initialization

“…For example, Ha et al. (2022) revealed that the intensification of dry heat wave events over northern China and Mongolia was simulated under the future emission scenario of phase six of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (see also Figure 6 of Ha et al., 2022).…”

“…Especially, the suggestion that heat wave in the focusing area can continue and become intensified in the future supports the importance of the implications mentioned in this study. For example, Ha et al (2022) revealed that the intensification of dry heat wave events over northern China and Mongolia was simulated under the future emission scenario of phase six of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (see also Figure 6 of Ha et al, 2022).…”

Stronger diversification of human thermal stress conditions observed in low-income Asian countries

“…However, due to regional dependence of climate change, the changes in the number and composition of thermal stress types can vary greatly across space. Indeed, regional studies have reported an imminent "extinction" of thermal winters 23,24 , a significant reduction in the number of comfortable days 25 , a large increase in the frequency of hot weather [26][27][28][29] and more extreme heat events intensified by high humidity in low-latitude regions [30][31][32][33][34] .…”

What caused the cold condition over northeast Asia during April 2020?

“…These hazards have increased through two or more extreme events co-occurring, an extreme event amplifying with climate conditions, or a combination of events leading to extreme event [2][3][4][5] . Thus, it is essential to understand the process and cause of unusual weather/climate phenomena to reduce the loss of socio-economic and human activities.…”