New research suggests that climate change-induced higher temperatures are creating a 'thirstier' atmosphere, intensifying and enlarging droughts. Higher temperatures are driving a complex interplay of atmospheric changes that exacerbate drought conditions beyond just the impact of lessened rainfall.

Many farmers, reliant on center-pivot irrigation systems established over a decade ago, are experiencing the shortcomings of these older technologies against today's higher temperatures. Meetpal Kukal, an agricultural hydrologist at the University of Idaho, noted, "There's a gap between how much water you can apply and what the crop demands are." By the time the irrigation systems complete a cycle, soils often dry out again quickly.

Hydroclimatologist Solomon Gebrechorkos from the University of Oxford spearheaded a study, published in the journal Nature, which found that the modern atmosphere's increased thirst has made droughts more frequent, severe, and extensive over the past forty years. This 'atmospheric thirst'—a critical yet previously underexplored factor—helps explain some gaps in our understanding of drought dynamics, he said.

Droughts occur when the supply of water does not meet the demand. While rainfall plays a crucial role in supplying water to the land, the atmosphere contributes to water loss through evaporation. This evaporation is controlled by factors such as temperature, wind, humidity, and solar radiation—a complex process that poses a challenge to accurately represent in climate models. Historically, drought studies have primarily focused on precipitation levels, often overlooking the atmospheric demand element.

Solomon's recent findings underscore the significance of considering atmospheric thirst to fully grasp the intricacies of drought phenomena and to better prepare agricultural and water management strategies in a warming world.