The atmospheric memory that feeds billions of people: Monsoon rainfall mechanism

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Meridional monsoon circulation on the Monsoon Planet. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2418093122 Across the globe, monsoon rainfall switches on in spring and off in autumn. Until now, this seasonal pattern was primarily understood as an immediate response to changes in solar radiation. A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows for the first time that the atmosphere can store moisture over extended periods, creating a physical memory effect. It allows monsoon systems to flip between two stable states. Disrupting this delicate balance would have severe consequences for billions of people in India, Indonesia, Brazil and China. "The atmosphere can 're ... Read full article.