2023 Volume 19 Pages 9-15
The surface temperature was projected to increase from 4 to 5°C in most regions around Japan in winter at the end of the 21st century, according to the Non-Hydrostatic Regional Climate Model (NHRCM) under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario. The melting of sea ice in the Sea of Okhotsk significantly affected the temperature around Hokkaido Prefecture, raising it by more than 8°C in some places. The temperature also rose by more than 8°C in some areas in Honshu where the atmosphere was not susceptible to sea ice. The reduction in snow-covered areas due to global warming raised the temperature further and induced changes in local wind, such as airflows over mountains and wind blowing from the sea. These changes raised the seasonal average temperature and caused the temperature to rise by over 8°C. The dynamical downscaling method played a significant role in projecting such small-scale features in the future climate.
