Widespread tropical atmospheric drying from 1979 to 1995

A daily gridded data base of tropical precipitable water (PW) from 1979–95 shows 3% average drying from 1979–87 to 1989–95. Spatial patterns of the change are consistent with strengthening of the thermally direct overturning circulation. Moistening in most of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), and the Americas is more than offset by drying in oceanic subtropical highs and desert land areas.