Soil moisture gradients strengthen intense thunderstorms [Research briefing]

Barton, Emma; Klein, Cornelia

Barton, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5945-9244; Klein, Cornelia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6686-0458. 2025 Soil moisture gradients strengthen intense thunderstorms [Research briefing]. Nature Geoscience, 18 (4). 287-288. 10.1038/s41561-025-01676-6

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Abstract

Analysis of global datasets indicates that dry to wet transitions in soil wetness over regions spanning around 500 km can increase the size and rainfall intensity of organized thunderstorms around the world. Therefore, observations of soil moisture could improve storm forecasts and support adaptation to changing hazards under climate change.

This is a summary of: Barton, E. J. et al. Soil moisture gradients strengthen mesoscale convective systems by increasing wind shear. Nat. Geosci. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-025-01666-8 (2025).

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Information

Official URL:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-025-01676-6

Related URLs:

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1038/s41561-025-01676-6

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Water and Climate Science (2025-)

ISSN:

1752-0894