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Flash droughts present a new challenge for subseasonal-to-seasonal prediction

Journal Article · · Nature Climate Change
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [3];  [5];  [6];  [7];  [3];  [7];  [8];  [2];  [9];  [10];  [2];  [11];  [12];  [13];  [14];  [15] more »;  [2];  [16] « less
  1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States); National Center for Atmospheric Research
  2. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
  3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Boulder, CO (United States)
  4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Boulder, CO (United States); Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
  5. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
  6. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  7. Monash Univ., Melbourne, VIC (Australia)
  8. Denver Water, Denver, CO (United States)
  9. US Dept. of Interior, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Bureau of Reclamation
  10. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States)
  11. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
  12. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Boulder, CO (United States). National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS); Univ. of California, San Diego, CA (United States). Scripps Inst. of Oceanography
  13. Univ. of Freiburg (Germany)
  14. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)
  15. Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, VIC (Australia)
  16. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (United States)

Flash droughts are a recently recognized type of extreme event distinguished by sudden onset and rapid intensification of drought conditions with severe impacts. They unfold on subseasonal-to-seasonal timescales (weeks to months), presenting a new challenge for the surge of interest in improving subseasonal-to-seasonal prediction. In this perspective we discuss existing prediction capability for flash droughts and what is needed to establish their predictability. We place them in the context of synoptic to centennial phenomena, consider how they could be incorporated into early warning systems and risk management, and propose two definitions. The growing awareness that flash droughts involve particular processes and severe impacts, and probably a climate change dimension, makes them a compelling frontier for research, monitoring and prediction.

Research Organization:
Univ. Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); US Agency for International Development (USAID); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; Australian Research Council (ARC); Meat and Livestock Australia; Queensland Government; US Bureau of Reclamation; USDA
Grant/Contract Number:
89243018SSC000007; AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1657487
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1769151
Journal Information:
Nature Climate Change, Journal Name: Nature Climate Change Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 10; ISSN 1758-678X
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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