Increased frequency of extreme precipitation events in the North Atlantic during the PETM: Observations and theory

Highlights

• Newly obtained model output demonstrates significant hydrologic change in response to CO₂ forcing

• Modeled changes are largely in line with observed changes in regional sediment patterns

• Orbital configuration may have played a role in observed offsets in timing of sediment response relative to the CIE

Abstract

Climate model simulations of the PETM (Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum) warming have mainly focused on replicating the global thermal response through greenhouse forcing, i.e. CO₂, at levels compatible with observations. Comparatively less effort has gone into assessing the skill of models to replicate the response of the hydrologic cycle to the warming, particularly on regional scales. Here we have assembled proxy records of regional precipitation, focusing on the Mid-Atlantic Coasts of North America (New Jersey) and Europe (Spain) to test the response of the hydrologic system to greenhouse gas forcing of the magnitude estimated for the PETM (i.e., 2×). Given evidence that the PETM initiated during a maximum in eccentricity, this includes the response under neutral and extreme orbital configurations. Modeled results show excellent agreement with observations in Northern Spain, with a significant increase in both mean annual and extreme precipitation resulting from increased CO₂ levels under a neutral orbit. The Mid Atlantic Coast simulations agree with observations showing increases in both overall and extreme precipitation as a result of CO₂ increases. In particular, the development of sustained atmospheric rivers might be significantly contributing to the extremes of the eastern Atlantic, whereas extratropical cyclones are likely contributing to the extremes in the western Atlantic. With an eccentric orbit that maximizes insolation during boreal summer, there is a suppression of extreme precipitation events in the eastern Atlantic and an amplification in the western Atlantic, which may account for observations in the relative timing of the sedimentary response to the carbon isotope excursion associated with the PETM.