A recent study published in Nature Geoscience on April 2, 2025, reveals a significant connection between the delayed warming of the Southern Ocean and increased precipitation in East Asia and the western United States. The research emphasizes the Southern Ocean's capacity to absorb heat and its subsequent impact on global climate patterns.
The delayed warming in the Southern Ocean triggers an El Niño-like pattern in the equatorial Pacific, leading to changes in atmospheric circulation. This results in a southerly shift of the Asian jet stream during boreal summer, increasing rainfall in East Asia. In winter, it generates a Pacific-North America pattern, boosting precipitation in the western United States.
The study highlights the importance of accurately modeling Southern Hemisphere low cloud feedbacks to improve climate projections. The findings suggest that policymakers should consider these long-term climate changes when developing adaptation and mitigation strategies. The research team was led by Hanjun Kim from Cornell University and Sarah Kang from the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology.