Representing temperatures in complex terrain, such as mountains and coastlines, is a challenge for climate models

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and stated challenges of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 2 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Atmospheric circulation and moisture budget drivers of dominant modes of winter extreme precipitation variability over North America (2026) · Climate Dynamics · doi

  Prior research has concentrated on two distinct geographical areas, western and eastern North America. There is a need to identify the dominant modes of variability of monthly maximum consecutive 5-day precipitation extremes across North America. The study aims to fill this gap by examining the large-scale dynamical, thermodynamical, and moisture budget drivers of these dominant modes.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: prior research has concentrated two distinct geographical areas
• Potential predictability of global seasonal precipitation anomalies determined by climate modes (2026) · Climate Dynamics · doi

  Limited skill of current climate models in predicting global seasonal precipitation anomalies, particularly in extratropical regions. Unclear specific contributions of climate modes to predictability. Need for a framework to reconstruct global seasonal precipitation anomalies based on climate modes.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: limited skill current climate models predicting global seasonal
• Assessment of Climate Variability and Associated Health Implications under Cyclonic and Anticyclonic Atmospheric Conditions in Ado-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria (2026) · Nigerian Journal of Applied Physics · doi

  There is a need to understand the mechanisms responsible for climatic fluctuations and their impacts on environmental conditions and human populations. The study aims to address the gap in knowledge on the atmospheric mechanisms governing rainfall variability in upland environments.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there need understand mechanisms responsible climatic fluctuations impacts
• Europe’s extreme temperatures and rainfall in finer detail: strengths and limits of climate model downscaling (2026) · npj Climate and Atmospheric Science · doi

  Representing temperatures in complex terrain, such as mountains and coastlines, is a challenge for climate models. Observational uncertainty complicates bias assessment. Extreme precipitation remains particularly difficult to capture.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: representing temperatures complex terrain mountains coastlines challenge climate
• How Does Asymmetric Heating near the Upstream Peninsula Modulate Extreme Rainfall on the South China Coast? (2026) · Advances in Atmospheric Sciences · doi

  The lack of understanding of the role of asymmetric heating near the Indochina Peninsula in modulating extreme rainfall on the South China Coast. The need for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex multiscale mechanisms involved in extreme rainfall events. The limited use of numerical experiments to simulate the effects of upstream heating on coastal rainfall.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack understanding role asymmetric heating near indochina peninsula
• A Climate Perspective on the 2025 North China Record-breaking Extreme Rainfall: Analogues and Future Risks (2026) · Advances in Atmospheric Sciences · doi

  The study faces the challenge of understanding the complex physical processes underlying extreme rainfall events in North China. The paper must also address the uncertainty associated with climate model projections of future changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. The research needs to account for the strong spatial variability of precipitation in North China and the potential impacts of climate change on this variability.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study faces challenge understanding complex physical processes underlying
• Northward Shift of the Tibetan Plateau Vortex Street-like System Intensifies Mid- and Late-Summer Rainfall Extremes in Beijing (2026) · Advances in Atmospheric Sciences · cited 1× · doi

  The study identifies a gap in understanding the contribution of the Tibetan Plateau Vortex Street-like System to extreme rainfall events in Beijing. There is a lack of research on the dynamical evolution of the Tibetan Plateau Vortex Street-like System. The paper highlights the need for further study on the impact of the Western Pacific Subtropical High on the summer rainfall pattern in North China.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study identifies gap understanding contribution tibetan plateau vortex
• Land-Surface Influences on Precipitation Characteristics in the Wet Asian Monsoon Regions: A Review Integrating High-Resolution Satellite Observations and Convection-Permitting Climate Modeling (2026) · Advances in Atmospheric Sciences · cited 1× · doi

  The role of land-surface conditions in modulating precipitation has been considered minor in the Asian monsoon area. Previous studies have highlighted precipitation amounts and extremes, but not precipitation intensity and frequency. There is a need to reassess how land-surface conditions influence precipitation in monsoon climates.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: role land-surface conditions modulating precipitation has been considered

Questions about this gap