Abstract ID: 201
Analysis of the 2022 Flash Drought Across the South-Central United States
Lead Author: Jeffrey B. Basara
School of Meteorology; School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science; University of Oklahoma, United States of America
Keywords: Flash Drought, Evaporative stress
Abstract: Flash drought events are critical features that develop within the subseasonal-to-seasonal continuum with significant impacts to agriculture, ecosystem function, and water resources. During the summer of 2022, a significant flash drought event occurred across the south-central United States. Even though cumulative rainfall totals were near-normal leading up to the event and rootzone soil moisture conditions were nearly saturated, minimal rainfall during June and July coupled with above-average temperatures led to rapid drought development and land surface desiccation. Further, considerable drying of the land surface during the flash drought event promoted enhanced heatwave development throughout July and early August. This study examines the critical drivers of the event including teleconnections via sea surface temperature anomalies (La Niña), mid and upper tropospheric patterns (a quasi-stationary upper-level ridge), as well as the spatial expansion and temporal evolution of the event using the standardized evaporative stress ratio (SESR), soil moisture, vegetative indices, and the United States Drought Monitor (USDM). In addition, the S2S predictability of the flash drought was investigated by examining the performance of S2S forecast models. Finally, the attribution of the flash drought toward impacts on the ecosystem were determined by the timing and intensity of the event.
Co-authors:
Jordan I. Christian, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
Benjamin J. Fellman, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
Taylor M. Grace, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
Daniel Mesheske, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
Brian Fuchs, National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), Lincoln, NE, USA
Stuart Edris, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
