While archetypal droughts may develop over seasons, flash droughts are marked by rapid drying. They found a domino effect: In the weeks and months leading up to a flash drought, vegetation initially thrived as conditions turned warm and dry. When extreme temperatures hit, the already low moisture levels plummeted, and flash drought developed within days. Warm temperatures prior to the onset of flash drought tempted plants to increase their carbon uptake compared to normal conditions. More information: Nicholas Parazoo et al, Antecedent Conditions Mitigate Carbon Loss During Flash Drought Events, Geophysical Research Letters (2024).

Source: The Nation May 14, 2024 19:35 UTC