Thursday, August 7, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Athmospheric

GIST scientists navigate the paradox of extreme cold events in a warming world

April 17, 2024
in Athmospheric
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
The trajectory of WACC events in East Asia and North America from 1920 to 2100
66
SHARES
596
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

According to Copernicus Climate Change Service, February 2024 was the warmest February ever recorded globally. However, North America, Asia, and parts of Europe experienced record-breaking cold temperatures. In some places, such as China’s Mohe and Russia’s Yakutsk, temperatures dipped to the life-threatening lowest levels. Alarmingly, this juxtaposition of increasing temperatures amidst extreme coldness pushes the future of our planet’s climate into uncertainty. 

The trajectory of WACC events in East Asia and North America from 1920 to 2100

Credit: Jin-Ho Yoon from GIST

According to Copernicus Climate Change Service, February 2024 was the warmest February ever recorded globally. However, North America, Asia, and parts of Europe experienced record-breaking cold temperatures. In some places, such as China’s Mohe and Russia’s Yakutsk, temperatures dipped to the life-threatening lowest levels. Alarmingly, this juxtaposition of increasing temperatures amidst extreme coldness pushes the future of our planet’s climate into uncertainty. 

This paradoxical situation is captured by the Warm Arctic-Cold Continent (WACC) phenomenon, where warm Arctic temperatures lead to sea-ice decline and cold blasts across specific mid-latitude regions. The Arctic’s rapid warming indicates global climate change. However, as global warming and the Arctic’s temperature keep increasing, it is unclear how WACC events will unfold in the coming decades.

To bridge this gap, a research group, led by Professor Jin-Ho Yoon and including Ph.D. student Yungi Hong, both from the School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, has recently investigated the dynamics and evolution of extreme winter weather events—technically known as WACC. Using simulations of climate datasets, mainly obtained from the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble Project, they forecasted the trajectory of WACC events in East Asia and North America, spanning from 1920 to 2100. The study’s findings were published in the journal npj Climate and Atmospheric Science on March 11, 2024.

Explaining their study, Prof. Yoon emphasizes, “The WACC pattern has significantly influenced winter climates, but what we see currently is merely the start of a drastic shift.” The research team found that despite global warming, WACC events have continued to intensify until the 2020s. Prof. Yoon points out, “These events will sharply decline post-2030s. Yet, this decline does not mean reduced extreme weather events in the future. Instead, winters will get warmer as global warming intensifies. Although cold snaps will occur less frequently, they may have more severe consequences when they do happen.”

This declining trend will likely continue until the WACC phenomenon almost disappears by the late 21st century, bringing new extreme weather events.

These findings reshape our understanding of the WACC events and highlight the need to update climate models for accurate predictions, enhancing preparation and response strategies. The findings also resonate with the hardships faced by communities worldwide, especially those in regions historically affected by the WACC.

With the drastic shift in the WACC trajectory lurking closer, immediate action is thus needed to refine global climate strategies and reassess how societies will prepare and adapt. In this regard, Mr. Hong says, “Understanding the impact of the drastic shift in WACC events and devising adaptation and mitigation strategies determines the future of our winter climate, and it’s a stark reminder of the complexity of climate systems and the unexpected outcomes of climate change.”

Overall, this study is a compelling call for communities, policymakers, and scientists to act. It is needed, now more than ever, to collaborate and adapt as we navigate the path to resilience against climate change!

 

***

 

Reference

 

DOI:

 

About the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a research-oriented university situated in Gwangju, South Korea. Founded in 1993, GIST has become one of the most prestigious schools in South Korea. The university aims to create a strong research environment to spur advancements in science and technology and to promote collaboration between international and domestic research programs. With its motto of “A Proud Creator of Future Science and Technology,” GIST has consistently received one of the highest university rankings in Korea.

Website:

 

About the authors
Jin-Ho Yoon
is a Professor of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering at GIST, Korea. His group focuses on understanding and predicting weather-climate extremes under climate change. Prof. Yoon’s group also analyzes how our climate system responds to various climate forcings plus feedback. Before coming to GIST, he was a scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA.

 

Yungi Hong (first author) is a Ph.D. student at GIST, Korea, working in the Climate Analysis and Modeling (CAM) Laboratory. His research aims to understand the changes in Arctic climate variability and its impact on the midlatitude weather/climate.



Journal

npj Climate and Atmospheric Science

DOI

10.1038/s41612-024-00611-7

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

From peak to plummet: impending decline of the warm Arctic-cold continents Phenomenon

Article Publication Date

11-Mar-2024

COI Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Share26Tweet17
Previous Post

Lower relapse risk in triple-negative breast cancer with high immune cell levels

Next Post

Amazon butterflies show how new species can evolve from hybridization

Related Posts

blank
Athmospheric

New Research Connects 2023 Maui Wildfire to Increased Rates of Suicide and Overdose

August 7, 2025
blank
Athmospheric

Worldwide Search for ‘Positive Tipping Points’ Sparks Scientific Interest

August 7, 2025
blank
Athmospheric

Rising Temperatures Spark Bubbles in Clear Pond Waters

August 6, 2025
blank
Athmospheric

Record-Breaking 2023 North China Heatwave Fueled by Soil Moisture Amplification

August 6, 2025
blank
Athmospheric

Scientists Advocate New Heatwave Approach to Protect Lives

August 6, 2025
blank
Athmospheric

Cultivating Shade Trees Reduces Chocolate’s Environmental Footprint

August 6, 2025
Next Post
Heliconius pardalinus

Amazon butterflies show how new species can evolve from hybridization

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27530 shares
    Share 11009 Tweet 6881
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    942 shares
    Share 377 Tweet 236
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    641 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    506 shares
    Share 202 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    310 shares
    Share 124 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Unveiling Tropical Seaweed Strategies in Mo’orea Reefs
  • From East to West: The Role of Microbes in Crafting Sausage Flavor
  • Licorice Extract Enhances Safety and Shelf Life of Ready-to-Eat Chicken
  • Invisible Material Poised to Transform Smart Technology

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,859 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading