Impact of Climate Change on Soil Moisture Deficit in East-Central Europe

We are pleased to announce the latest article by Dr. Krzysztof Bartoszek (Department of Hydrology and Climatology UMCS), which has been published in the prestigious journal International Journal of Climatology:

Bartoszek K., Matuszko D., 2024: Relations between selected elements of climate and an increase in soil moisture deficit in the warm half-year in East-Central Europe between 1971 and 2020. International Journal of Climatology, p. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.8555

The paper presents an analysis of the relationships between soil moisture, cloud cover, solar radiation, air temperature and humidity, and precipitation during the warm half of the year in East-Central Europe over the years 1971-2020. The temporal and spatial variability of these meteorological elements is presented in association with the occurrence of anticyclonic blocking events over the study area.

The study demonstrates that changes in soil moisture in East-Central Europe indicate the combined influence of many meteorological factors resulting from atmospheric circulation and are indicative of the comprehensive relationships among these factors. The main factors affecting soil water content are precipitation and evapotranspiration, which in turn depend on air humidity, cloudiness, intensity of solar radiation, and air temperature. The increase in the frequency and duration of sequences of days with blocking events in East-Central Europe has contributed to an increased probability of longer periods with negative soil moisture anomalies.

Publication list of Institute staff

    News

    Date of addition
    16 July 2024