Researchers are studying whether tropical storms can help mitigate drought conditions in affected regions of the United States.
 

Congressman Sean Casten of Illinois referenced new research on vapor pressure deficit to support his amendment calling for a study on the interaction between climate change and wildfires.

MAPP-funded scientist Dr. Alison Wing was recognized for her work using models and simulations that could help predict how a hotter planet will reshape clouds and storms and whether these changes will, in turn, exacerbate global warming.

According to the report, the drought caused roughly $11.4–$23 billion in economic losses in 2020—including impacts from associated wildfires. Economic losses for 2021 will also be substantial, and the drought is expected to continue at least into next year.

For the past two decades, the southwestern United States has been desiccated by one of the most severe long-term droughts—or ‘megadroughts’—of the last 1,200 years. And now, scientists say the risk of similar extreme megadroughts and severe single-year droughts will increase in the future as Earth’s temperature continues to rise, according to a new study in Earth’s Future.