Arctic Amplification of Precipitation Changes—The Energy Hypothesis

Temperature and precipitation change more strongly in the Arctic than at lower latitudes, with central boreal winter projected to double 21st century a high-emission scenario. This enhanced hydrological sensitivity has been explained terms of moisture budget attributed either advection or surface evaporation. Here, we show that availability is less sensitive temperature questioning role budget. Hydrological sensitivity, is, per unit change, similar models without sea-ice changes, suggesting secondary flux changes. Instead, propose Arctic's larger energetically driven. Increases latent heat release from locally balance increased atmospheric radiative cooling winter, consistent process-level understanding radiatively driven cloud formation.