Paul C. Loikith

TL;DR: In this paper, the contribution of soil moisture atmosphere interactions to surface temperature PDFs is investigated, and two simulations of the current-generation Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Earth System Model, with and without interactive soil moisture, are analyzed in order to assess how soil moisture dynamics impact the simulated climate.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the key atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme daily temperatures over North America in the current climate, and find that warm extremes at most locations are associated with positive 500hPa geopotential height and sea level pressure anomalies just downstream with negative anomalies farther upstream.

TL;DR: In this paper, a recent increasing trend in Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) over tropical South America in dry months with values well beyond the range of trends due to natural variability of the climate system defined in both the undisturbed Preindustrial climate and the climate over 850-1850 perturbed with natural external forcing.

TL;DR: The VPD increase combined with the decrease in evaporative fraction are the first indications of positive climate feedback mechanisms, which it is shown that will continue and intensify in the course of unfolding anthropogenic climate change.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined trends in near-surface air temperature and precipitation over South America for the periods 1975-2004 and 1955-2004, respectively, using multiple observational and climate model data sets.