The study by Tojičić, Denamiel, and Vilibić examines the kilometer-scale trends, variability, and extreme events of the Adriatic climate under future (2070–2100) conditions, driven by the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP 8.5) scenario. The Adriatic Sea and Coast (AdriSC) kilometer-scale atmosphere-ocean model is used to assess the impact of climate change on the region's climate. Key findings include: 1. **Atmospheric Changes**: - Strong land-sea contrasts in temperature, with sea temperatures increasing more rapidly than land. - Increased droughts and extreme rainfall events over land, while coastal areas experience decreased wind speeds. - Variability in temperature and relative humidity is expected to increase, particularly over the sea. 2. **Oceanic Changes**: - Surface and intermediate ocean temperatures are projected to rise significantly, with salinity decreasing, except during summer when salinity increases in coastal areas. - Bottom temperatures rise in coastal areas, while bottom salinity decreases, leading to a reduction in dense water formation in the northern Adriatic. - Ocean currents accelerate in the surface and intermediate layers but decelerate at the bottom, potentially intensifying the southern Adriatic cyclonic gyre and strengthening vertical stratification. 3. **Implications for Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics**: - Heatwaves and extreme rainfall events are expected to increase, particularly over land. - Dense water formation is likely to be reduced due to decreased wind speeds and increased surface temperatures. - Salinity budgets are expected to change, with surface and intermediate layers becoming more saline during summer. - The southern Adriatic cyclonic gyre may shrink and intensify, and vertical stratification will likely strengthen over the Southern Adriatic Pit (SAP). 4. **Comparison with Previous Studies**: - The AdriSC projections show more pronounced land-sea contrasts and different patterns compared to regional climate models (RCMs) like EURO-CORDEX and Med-CORDEX. - The PGW method used in the AdriSC model may miss intra- and interannual variability changes and does not account for climate uncertainty from multiple global climate models. 5. **Conclusions**: - The AdriSC model highlights significant changes in the Adriatic climate, including increased heatwaves, extreme rainfall, and reduced dense water formation. - These changes pose risks to coastal communities and marine life, necessitating the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies. - Further research and ensemble simulations are needed to better understand and predict these changes at the local scale. The study underscores the need for increased kilometer-scale modeling efforts in the Adriatic region to inform policy and adaptation plans.The study by Tojičić, Denamiel, and Vilibić examines the kilometer-scale trends, variability, and extreme events of the Adriatic climate under future (2070–2100) conditions, driven by the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP 8.5) scenario. The Adriatic Sea and Coast (AdriSC) kilometer-scale atmosphere-ocean model is used to assess the impact of climate change on the region's climate. Key findings include: 1. **Atmospheric Changes**: - Strong land-sea contrasts in temperature, with sea temperatures increasing more rapidly than land. - Increased droughts and extreme rainfall events over land, while coastal areas experience decreased wind speeds. - Variability in temperature and relative humidity is expected to increase, particularly over the sea. 2. **Oceanic Changes**: - Surface and intermediate ocean temperatures are projected to rise significantly, with salinity decreasing, except during summer when salinity increases in coastal areas. - Bottom temperatures rise in coastal areas, while bottom salinity decreases, leading to a reduction in dense water formation in the northern Adriatic. - Ocean currents accelerate in the surface and intermediate layers but decelerate at the bottom, potentially intensifying the southern Adriatic cyclonic gyre and strengthening vertical stratification. 3. **Implications for Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics**: - Heatwaves and extreme rainfall events are expected to increase, particularly over land. - Dense water formation is likely to be reduced due to decreased wind speeds and increased surface temperatures. - Salinity budgets are expected to change, with surface and intermediate layers becoming more saline during summer. - The southern Adriatic cyclonic gyre may shrink and intensify, and vertical stratification will likely strengthen over the Southern Adriatic Pit (SAP). 4. **Comparison with Previous Studies**: - The AdriSC projections show more pronounced land-sea contrasts and different patterns compared to regional climate models (RCMs) like EURO-CORDEX and Med-CORDEX. - The PGW method used in the AdriSC model may miss intra- and interannual variability changes and does not account for climate uncertainty from multiple global climate models. 5. **Conclusions**: - The AdriSC model highlights significant changes in the Adriatic climate, including increased heatwaves, extreme rainfall, and reduced dense water formation. - These changes pose risks to coastal communities and marine life, necessitating the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies. - Further research and ensemble simulations are needed to better understand and predict these changes at the local scale. The study underscores the need for increased kilometer-scale modeling efforts in the Adriatic region to inform policy and adaptation plans.