Profile of Shang-Ping Xie.

Shang-Ping Xie reveals that internal climate variability masks tropical eastern Pacific warming, with sea-surface temperatures not rising as models predict, despite global trends.

• Why it matters: Understanding why certain regions do not follow expected warming patterns is crucial for accurate climate prediction and risk assessment, especially in vulnerable tropical zones.
• What they did: Xie analyzed climate models and observational data, focusing on interactions between currents and wind, to demonstrate that internal variability temporarily conceals underlying warming signals.
• The result: His findings clarify the role of internal climate fluctuations in masking warming, enabling better prediction of future climate changes and informing adaptation strategies.