„Flash droughts“ are becoming more common due to climate change, according to a new study reported by the Independent. Droughts that develop quickly are becoming the „new normal,“ the paper says. It adds: „Flash droughts can develop into severe droughts in a matter of weeks and are caused by low rainfall and high evapotranspiration that quickly depletes soil of water.“ The Associated Press reports that flash droughts occur mostly in the summer, but also in the spring and fall. It says the droughts are „insidious“ because „the air is so hot and dry that it sucks water directly from plants and soil.“ The New York Times reports that „the humid tropics tend to experience more flash droughts than slow ones.“ The New Scientist adds that Europe is set to become a „hotspot“ for flash droughts as the planet continues to warm.

Ben Mitchell, Independent, Carbon Brief