Local and Remote Impacts of Regional Irrigation on Near‐Surface Temperature
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Journal Volume
131
Journal Issue
11
ISSN
2169-897X
2169-8996
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Irrigation is a major human intervention in the global land-atmosphere system. However, increasing climate variability and associated regional water scarcity may lead to abrupt reductions in irrigation. In this study, we use the Community Earth System Model to investigate the global near-surface air temperature response to irrigation cessation over Northwest India. Our results indicate that evaporative cooling is the dominant local mechanism regulating temperature in response to irrigation in Northwest India. Following irrigation cessation, average near-surface temperatures over Northwest India increased by ∼0.24°–0.38°C during November–February. Notably, irrigation cessation over Northwest India also induces temperature changes in remote regions. These remote responses are primarily associated with the advection of warm, moist air, enhanced atmospheric humidity, and increased downward longwave radiation. Our findings highlight that the temperature impacts of irrigation practices can extend beyond local regions and should be considered in assessments of climate and water management.
Subjects
CESM
irrigation
near-surface temperature
Northwest India
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Type
journal article