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When the atmosphere slows the Earth: Uncovering a subtle signal of climate change - Earth - Earth Sciences - Environment

The increasing trend of AAM with global warming. Credit: Susmit Subhransu Satpathy

Atmospheric circulation governs weather and climate, but it also carries angular momentum. When winds shift or mass redistributes, the atmosphere can exchange momentum with the solid Earth, slightly altering the planet's rotation rate. This is not a new concept, but what happens under long-term global warming?

Previous studies have projected an increase in atmospheric angular momentum (AAM). However, the reason remained unclear. Was it simply stronger winds? Or was there a deeper dynamical restructuring of the atmosphere?

We set out to answer this in our paper in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science.

Tracing the fingerprint of global warming

Using large-ensemble climate simulations from three different global models, we examined how atmospheric circulation evolves under a high-emissions scenario. What emerged was a consistent and physically coherent picture:

• The Hadley cell expands poleward.
• Subtropical jets intensify.
• Tropical trade winds weaken.
• Upper-level zonal winds strengthen.

These are well-known responses to warming, but together they systematically increase AAM.

At the same time, something equally important happens at the surface: momentum exchange between the atmosphere and the solid Earth weakens. This reduces Earth's efficiency at "keeping up" with the changing atmosphere.

The weakening of the momentum exchange between the solid Earth and atmosphere through changing mountain and friction torques. Credit: Susmit Subhransu Satpathy

The result? A slightly faster-moving atmosphere and a slightly slower-rotating Earth.

The changes we identify are subtle. By the end of the 21st century, the increase in the length of day (LOD) due to atmospheric changes reaches about 10%–18% of the long-term tidal friction trend.

At first glance, this may seem modest. But it is significant for two reasons:

• It represents a systematic, externally forced signal, not just internal variability.
• It emerges from well-understood dynamical changes in atmospheric circulation.

To place this in context, tidal friction has long been considered the dominant driver of long-term rotational slowing. Our comparison is not intended to suggest equivalence, but to provide a physically meaningful benchmark for interpreting the magnitude of the atmospheric contribution.

The importance of the atmosphere in contributing to Earth's rotational dynamics. Credit: Susmit Subhransu Satpathy

At the same time, recent studies highlight that core-mantle interactions dominate Earth's rotation variability on decadal to centennial timescales. Our results, therefore, position atmospheric changes as an additional, climate-driven component within this broader rotational system. Hence, global warming is reorganizing atmospheric circulation in a way that measurably influences Earth's rotational dynamics.

Looking ahead

Our study highlights a broader idea: climate change is not just altering temperature, precipitation or extremes; it is reshaping the fundamental dynamical balance of the Earth system. The atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and solid Earth are tightly coupled. Changes in one component inevitably propagate into others, sometimes in unexpected ways.

Understanding these connections will be crucial as we move forward.

This work began with a simple question about rotation. It evolved into a deeper exploration of how atmospheric dynamics respond to warming and how these changes ripple through the Earth system.

The signal we identify is systematic, physically grounded and a part of the larger story: global warming is influencing Earth in ways that extend far beyond the climate system itself.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate. 

by Susmit Subhransu Satpathy

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan 

Source: When the atmosphere slows the Earth: Uncovering a subtle signal of climate change