Dust forced changes in the precipitation distribution over Indian homogeneous regions

Abstract

Abstract This study made an effort to examine the influence of dust aerosols on the precipitation and its extremes over India and six homogeneous rainfall zones of India during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. In this regard, a set of sensitivity experiments are performed using a regional climate model, namely, RegCM-4.7.0, for 11 years. The model’s performance is demonstrated in simulating the mean precipitation, its variability (spatial and temporal), aerosol property, and monsoonal wind. It was observed that the model has the potential to capture the distinct features of the monsoon with systematic differences in magnitude that vary with region and season. Due to the inclusion of dust influence, a notable reduction of bias in mean precipitation is seen over AS, emphasizing the importance of the correct representation of dust in the model. On the other hand, a mixed response (increased as well as decreased) is seen over the Indian land point. Interestingly, it is noticed mostly over CNE, NEI and SPI regions that the inclusion of dust has a larger influence on extreme rainfall events than the mean.