Climate

Soil moisture-temperature coupling: A multiscale observational analysis

  1. D. G. Miralles1,*,
  2. M. J. van den Berg2,
  3. A. J. Teuling3,
  4. R. A. M. de Jeu4

Article first published online: 6 NOV 2012

DOI: 10.1029/2012GL053703

Issue

Geophysical Research Letters

Geophysical Research Letters

Additional Information

How to Cite

Miralles, D. G., M. J. vanden Berg, A. J. Teuling, and R. A. M. deJeu (2012), Soil moisture-temperature coupling: A multiscale observational analysis, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L21707, doi:10.1029/2012GL053703.

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

  2. 2

    Laboratory of Hydrology and Water Management, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

  3. 3

    Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands

  4. 4

    Earth and Climate Cluster, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands

*Corresponding author: D. G. Miralles, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK. (diego.miralles@bristol.ac.uk)

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 NOV 2012
  2. Article first published online: 6 NOV 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 4 OCT 2012
  4. Manuscript Revised: 3 OCT 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 28 AUG 2012

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Keywords:

  • Earth observation;
  • GLEAM;
  • heatwave;
  • land-atmosphere coupling;
  • satellite evaporation;
  • soil moisture

[1] Land-atmospheric interactions are complex and variable in space and time. On average soil moisture-temperature coupling is expected to be stronger in transition zones between wet and dry climates. During heatwaves anomalously high coupling may be found in areas of soil moisture deficit and high atmospheric demand of water. Here a new approach is applied to satellite andin situobservations towards the characterization of regions of intense soil moisture-temperature coupling, both in terms of climatology and anomalies during heatwaves. The resulting average summertime couplinghot spotsreflect intermediate climatic regions in agreement with previous studies. Results at heatwave-scale suggest a minor role of soil moisture deficit during the heatwave of 2006 in California but an important one in the 2003 event in Western Europe. Progress towards near-real time satellite products may allow the application of the approach to aid prediction and management of warm extremes.

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