Atmospheric Memory: The On/Off Switch of Monsoon Rainfall
2025-05-30
A groundbreaking study reveals that the atmosphere possesses a 'memory' effect, storing moisture and causing monsoon rainfall to flip between two stable states: 'dry' and 'wet'. This explains the seasonal pattern of monsoon rainfall—switching on in spring and off in autumn—as more than just a direct response to solar radiation changes. The key is the accumulation of atmospheric water vapor; above a certain threshold, the monsoon starts; below it, it shuts down. Disrupting this mechanism could severely impact billions reliant on monsoons for their livelihoods, highlighting the need for improved prediction and early warning systems.
(phys.org)