A recent study published on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) website finds that soil moisture, mainly dry soil, can cause mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) or mega-storms to intensify.

Studying thousands of storms from satellite data in Sahel, Africa, between 2006 and 2010, researchers see a strong link between dry soil states and the strength of MCS.

MCS affects many parts of the world, including Africa, Australia, the Americas, and Asia, and would significantly damage infrastructures and people’s livelihoods. In Sahelian Africa, MCSs have tripled in frequency because of climate change.

Through this finding, scientists can develop better tools for forecasting the path and strength of a coming MCS, and it will inform alert systems for communities across Africa, giving communities up to six hours to prepare.

Improved early warning systems can also benefit other areas of the world by helping them build resilience against climate shocks, such as MCS.

To read the entire study, click on the link below:

DRY SOILS CAN INTENSITY MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS

Sources

Klein, C. & Taylor, C. (2020, August 17). Dry soils can intensify mesoscale convective systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Sep 2020, 117 (35) 21132-21137; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2007998117

New research will improve early warning of devastating megastorms. (2020, August 19). Climate Home News. Retrieved from https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/08/19/new-research-will-improve-early-warning-devastating-megastorms/