Understanding the Intricacies of Model Biases in Storm‐Related Extreme Precipitation Using CMIP6

Abstract This paper evaluates the biases, defined as deviations from ERA5, in extreme precipitation linked to tropical cyclones (TCs), extratropical cyclones (ETCs), and atmospheric rivers (ARs) in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models during 1985–2014. Overall, the multi‐model ensemble significantly overestimates the intensity of storm‐associated extreme precipitation, with global average biases of 19.1% for TCs, 11.4% for ETCs, and 12.2% for ARs. This corresponds to at least a 57% higher risk of storm‐associated extreme precipitation above the 99.9th percentile in the models. The skill score of the CMIP6 multi‐model ensemble mean ranks in the mid‐range among the models, while high‐resolution models typically achieve higher scores. Composite rainfall structure analysis indicates that, although CMIP6 models roughly reproduce the overall structure of extreme precipitation associated with the three storm types, they display significant wet biases with pronounced regional features. These regional differences are primarily influenced by flawed dynamical processes, while moisture conditions play a secondary role.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2025-08-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl115365
Primary Topic
Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Understanding the Intricacies of Model Biases in Storm‐Related Extreme Precipitation Using CMIP6

Zhongshi Zhang, Bo Liu, Meiyu Chang, Guoyu Ren et al.
Geophysical Research Letters
Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
article

Understanding the Intricacies of Model Biases in Storm‐Related Extreme Precipitation Using CMIP6

Zhongshi Zhang, Bo Liu, Meiyu Chang, Guoyu Ren, Cristian Martínez-Villalobos, Bin Wang, Xiaorui Li
article en

Abstract

Abstract This paper evaluates the biases, defined as deviations from ERA5, in extreme precipitation linked to tropical cyclones (TCs), extratropical cyclones (ETCs), and atmospheric rivers (ARs) in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models during 1985–2014. Overall, the multi‐model ensemble significantly overestimates the intensity of storm‐associated extreme precipitation, with global average biases of 19.1% for TCs, 11.4% for ETCs, and 12.2% for ARs. This corresponds to at least a 57% higher risk of storm‐associated extreme precipitation above the 99.9th percentile in the models. The skill score of the CMIP6 multi‐model ensemble mean ranks in the mid‐range among the models, while high‐resolution models typically achieve higher scores. Composite rainfall structure analysis indicates that, although CMIP6 models roughly reproduce the overall structure of extreme precipitation associated with the three storm types, they display significant wet biases with pronounced regional features. These regional differences are primarily influenced by flawed dynamical processes, while moisture conditions play a secondary role.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 52(15)
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (US), China Meteorological Administration (CN), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (CN), Peking University (CN), Adolfo Ibáñez University (CL), Chengdu University of Information Technology (CN), NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (US), China University of Geosciences (CN), Data Observatory Foundation
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 76%
Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
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