How Hydroclimate Whiplash causes Wildfires

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This article was adapted from an article by the KQED on 1.9.2025

Read the source article here.

A study led by climate scientist Daniel Swain has found that "hydroclimate whiplash" (rapid swings between extremely wet and dry weather) is increasing globally due to human-caused climate change. This phenomenon has increased by up to 66% since the mid-20th century and could nearly double at 3 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels. The warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, leading to longer dry periods and more intense precipitation.

This exacerbates droughts, storms, flood potential, and wildfire risks. The study also defined two types of hydroclimate whiplash: subseasonal, which describes rapid transitions within a three-month season, and interannual, which describes year-to-year whiplash. The researchers suggest that future planning should account for these extremes rather than average precipitation totals.