Suyeon Moon

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

My research interest is the effects of climate change on humans. I am studying to understand global precipitation under warmer climates. As most people rely on precipitation, understanding the mechanism of precipitation changes in global warming and projecting the changes in precipitation intensity are important. I study to understand the future intensity of extreme precipitation on a regional scale.  The slight deviation of timing, such as the onset, of summer monsoon precipitation can lead to drastic damages on human society. Thus, it is essential but challenging to advance the predictable time for onset. I have tried to advance the predictable timing in the concept of soil moisture and atmosphere interaction. Furthermore, the assessment of climate change impacts and evaluation of adaptation strategies are vital in climate information. I actively studying projecting the emergence timing of mean and extreme precipitation in response to the anthropogenic forcing through the climate modeling simulations.  

Expansion in vulnerable regions of extreme precipitation by anthropogenic forcing

Future changes in summer precipitation intensity under warmer climates will impact the lives of the world’s population. The precipitation intensity is controlled by the combined effects of internal variability and anthropogenic forcing. A surge in moisture in warmer climates leads to an enhancement of extreme precipitation, but few studies have investigated seasonal extreme precipitation responses to anthropogenic signals. Using 100-member simulations, we show that, areas where anthropogenic signals in extremely heavy precipitation overtake its natural variability are expected to expand rapidly from 2022 and take up 87% of the global monsoon region by 2100. In an intermediate region, increases in winter heavy precipitation from 2030 and prolonged dry spells in summer from 2039 are expected in response to anthropogenic forcing. Furthermore, by considering socio-economic impacts and the emergence timing of precipitation risk, the northern and southern African monsoons are identified as the most vulnerable regions. As the anthropogenic forcing has already a great influence on extreme precipitations, urgent plans considering socio-economic perspectives for climate change are needed.