Asymmetric tropical ocean warming since 1999 has reshaped the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), a key climate rhythm driving rainfall, monsoons, and storms worldwide. Researchers using satellite and reanalysis data found the MJO now moves faster over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent but slows over the western Pacific. These shifts show how uneven ocean warming reorganizes tropical convection, with vital implications for improving climate models, forecasts, and resilience to extremes.

Precipitation δ¹⁸O provides important insights into the decadal variability of the East Asian monsoon. Using both isotope-enabled climate simulations and reconstructions, this study found a quasi-11-year cycle in precipitation δ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O_p) across the monsoon region. The cycle was driven by enhanced solar activity, which strengthens the Walker circulation and increases moisture transport from the equatorial Pacific. The results have suggested that the quasi-11-year δ18O_p cycle primarily reflects shifts in moisture sources driven by solar activity. The findings were recently published in SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences.

African easterly waves, which directly impact communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas, are shown to intensify during La Niña, advancing our understanding of how these weather systems influence storm activity.