Warming climate intensifies flash droughts worldwide—study defines and tracks critical measures of drought severity

Sudden, severe dry spells known as flash droughts are rising in intensity around the world, with a notable exception in mountainous Central Asia, where flash drought extent is shrinking, according to new research published in Geophysical Research Letters. Heat and changes to precipitation patterns caused by a warming climate are driving these trends, the study found. Sudden, severe dry spells known as flash droughts are rising in intensity around the world, with a notable exception in mountainous Central Asia, where flash drought extent is shrinking, according to new research published in Geophysical Research Letters. Heat and changes to precipitation patterns caused by a warming climate are driving these trends, the study found. Earth Sciences Environment Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories