Water balance of the turn-of-the-century drought in the Southwestern United States

Environmental Research Letters
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Abstract

Analysis of the water balance of the southwestern United States (SWUS) during 1900 through 2018 was used to evaluate the magnitude of the turn-of-the-century (TOC) drought in the SWUS. Results indicate that the warm season (April through September) soil moisture and runoff during the TOC drought were among the lowest values of the 1900 through 2018 period. Additionally, increases in temperature were identified as a significant driver of low soil moisture and runoff conditions during the warm season. In contrast, during the cool seasons (October through March) and the water year (October 1 through September 30) during the TOC drought, soil moisture and runoff did not indicate extremely dry conditions even though temperatures were the highest of the 1900 through 2018 period.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Water balance of the turn-of-the-century drought in the Southwestern United States
Series title Environmental Research Letters
DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/abbfc1
Volume 16
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher IOP Science
Contributing office(s) WMA - Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division
Description 044015, 9 p.
Country United States
Other Geospatial Soputhwestern United States
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