Satellite-based regional warming hiatus in China and its implication

Area of Science:

• Climate Science
• Atmospheric Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The global warming hiatus, a slowdown in surface air temperature (SAT) rise since 1998, is a key focus in climate change research.
• Understanding regional SAT trends is crucial for reconciling the hiatus and predicting future climate scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spatiotemporal trends of surface air temperature (SAT) in China during the global warming hiatus period (2001-2015).
• To diagnose the causes of the regional warming hiatus in China using satellite-based simulations.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing satellite-based regional warming simulations to analyze surface air temperature (SAT) trends.
• Characterizing spatiotemporal warming and cooling patterns across different regions of China.

Main Results:

• Significant warming trends were observed in western and southern China (e.g., Yunnan, Tibet, Taiwan, Sichuan).
• A cooling trend was detected in northern China, contrasting with the warming observed from 1960-2000.
• The overall warming rate in China reduced to -0.02°C (10 yr)⁻¹, with changes in underlying surface, Earth's orbit, solar radiation, and atmospheric counter radiation (USEOSRACR) contributing 0.02°C (10 yr)⁻¹.
• Greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other natural forcing (ONAT), including volcanic activity and ocean circulation, explained a decrease of approximately -0.04°C (10 yr)⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• China experienced a regional warming hiatus between 2001 and 2015.
• The study suggests that greenhouse gas-induced warming in China was suppressed by other natural forcing (ONAT) in the early 21st century.