Impact of Asian aerosol forcing on tropical Pacific circulation and the relationship to global temperature trends

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Atmospheres 2016-12, Vol.121 (24), p.14,403-14,413
• Main Authors: Kuntz, L. B., Schrag, D. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosols; Amplification; Anomalies; Asian; Asian aerosol; Atmospheric circulation; Circulation; Circulation patterns; Computer simulation; Emissions; Equatorial regions; Geophysics; Global temperatures; Heat; Loads (forces); Marine; Meteorology; Ocean currents; Ocean models; Ocean-atmosphere interaction; Perturbation methods; Perturbations; Stabilization; Surface temperature; Temperature; Temperature effects; Temperature trends; Trade; Trade winds; Trends; Tropical circulation; Tropical climate; Wind; Winds
• ISSN: 2169-897X; 2169-8996
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JD025430

The recent slowdown in the warming of global surface temperatures has been linked to the enhancement of trade winds in the central equatorial Pacific. The possible role of Asian aerosol emissions in forcing these wind anomalies is investigated through a series of idealized model simulations. Circulation patterns in response to localized negative radiative perturbations, indicative of aerosol effects, are investigated for both a slab and an active ocean models. The results suggest that Asian aerosols cannot explain the recent intensification of trade wind anomalies in the equatorial Pacific. Key Points Circulation patterns adjust to a negative radiative perturbation to counterbalance the heat anomaly Asian aerosols cannot explain the intensification of trade wind anomalies linked to the hiatus Asian aerosol emissions are an inadequate explanation for the recent stabilization of GMST