Projected changes in heatwaves over Central and South America using high-resolution regional climate simulations

Heatwaves (HWs) pose a severe threat to human and ecological systems. Here we assess the projected changes in heatwaves over Latin America using bias corrected high-resolution regional climate simulations under two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCPs). Heatwaves are projected to be...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inScientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 23145 - 11
Main Authors Ramarao, M. V. S., Arunachalam, Saravanan, Sánchez, Brisa N., Schinasi, Leah H., Bakhtsiyarava, Maryia, Caiaffa, Waleska Teixeira, Dronova, Iryna, O’Neill, Marie S., Avila-Palencia, Ione, Gouveia, Nelson, Ju, Yang, Kephart, Josiah L., Rodríguez, Daniel A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Nature Publishing Group UK 04.10.2024
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Subjects
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI10.1038/s41598-024-73521-6

Cover

More Information
Summary:Heatwaves (HWs) pose a severe threat to human and ecological systems. Here we assess the projected changes in heatwaves over Latin America using bias corrected high-resolution regional climate simulations under two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCPs). Heatwaves are projected to be more frequent, long-lasting, and intense in the mid-century under both RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios, with severe increases under the RCP8.5 scenario. Even under the low emissions scenario of RCP2.6, the frequency of heatwaves doubles over most of the region. A three- to tenfold rise in population exposure to heatwave days is projected over Central and South America, with climate change playing a dominant role in driving these changes. Results show that following the low emission pathway would reduce 57% and 50% of heatwave exposure for Central and South American regions respectively, highlighting the need to control anthropogenic emissions and implement sustainable practices.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 14
content type line 23
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-73521-6