5 ms·

warmer climates lead to much wetter climates. invariably.

• mturmon 5y ago
  That's one effect. But in the western US, this effect turns out not to be the driver for hydrology. We've seen higher temperatures (causing more evapotranspiration), more highly-variable rainfall (thus, more precipitation lost to runoff), and less possibility for snow accumulation (again, causing lost precipitation due to faster runoff). I'm not sure where you live, but the higher temperatures and especially the lack of snow accumulation have been noticeable even to casual observers in the area. For more, see TFA, or the excellent National Climate Assessment. Chapter 25 covers the Southwest, and drought is the first topic. It has references to the literature if you're interested. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/25/ https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/25/ Just one quick excerpt: > Increased temperatures, especially the earlier occurrence of spring warmth, have significantly altered the water cycle in the Southwest region. These changes include decreases in snowpack and its water content, earlier peak of snow-fed streamflow, and increases in the proportion of rain to snow. These changes, attributed mainly to climate change, exacerbate hydrological drought.
• gremlinsinc 5y ago
  Living in southern Utah, I'd actually rather dry + hotter than wet + hotter...at least we avoid dying from wetbulb temps. 125 is survivable in dry heat, a death sentence if you add humidity.
• AnimalMuppet 5y ago
  Not everywhere. Warmer climates lead to changes in wind patterns, which leave some places drier than they were.
  • mjfl 5y ago
    but it increases the vapor pressure of water everywhere.