New Perspectives in Hydrological Extremes

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Meteorology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 1885

Special Issue Editors


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Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento (IST-ID), Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), Avenida António José de Almeida, No. 12, 1000-043 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: data mining; environmental engineering; civil engineering; climatology; meteorology
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Guest Editor
Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: surface hydrology; extreme hydrological events; statistical models; trend detection; regionalisation models; uncertainty and risks analysis and design of infrastructures
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Civil and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-309 Beja, Portugal
Interests: advanced topics in water resources and environment; impact assessment; hydrology and water resources
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrological extremes have long been a critical focus in water resources management and environmental science. Traditionally, research and management strategies have centred on heavy rainfall events and their immediate consequences, such as extreme discharges and floods. However, the paradigm of climate change has significantly broadened our understanding and approach to these events, necessitating a more comprehensive examination of hydrological extremes.

In recent years, temperature has emerged as a crucial hydrological variable, playing a significant role in the occurrence of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. This shift has prompted researchers to explore new perspectives on hydrological extremes, considering a wider range of variables and their complex interactions. The changing climate has altered precipitation patterns, increased evapotranspiration rates, and modified snow and glacier melt dynamics, all of which contribute to a new landscape of hydrological challenges.

This Special Issue will highlight novel approaches and insights into hydrological extremes, encompassing both traditional and emerging challenges. We welcome studies that investigate the interplay between various hydroclimatic variables, including, but not limited to, precipitation, temperature, humidity, and wind patterns. Of particular interest are research efforts that address the multifaceted nature of hydrological extremes in the context of climate change.

Key Topics of Interest:

  1. Advances in modelling techniques for predicting and managing hydrological extremes, incorporating artificial intelligence approaches;
  2. The role of temperature in heatwave occurrence, drought intensification, wildfire risk, and changes in water demand patterns;
  3. Impact of changing humidity patterns on water availability, extreme precipitation events, and ecosystem responses;
  4. Influence of wind dynamics on hydrological processes, including evapotranspiration rates and the distribution of precipitation;
  5. Multivariate analysis of hydrological extremes considering multiple variables, moving beyond single-factor assessments;
  6. Novel indices for characterising and monitoring hydrological extremes, integrating diverse data sources and remote sensing technologies;
  7. Socio-economic implications of evolving hydrological extreme patterns, including impacts on agriculture, urban planning, and water resource management;
  8. Adaptation strategies for water infrastructure and management practices in the face of changing hydrological extremes;
  9. The role of land-use changes and urbanisation in modifying local and regional hydrological extreme events;
  10. Interconnection between hydrological extremes and other environmental systems, such as coastal processes and groundwater dynamics.

By exploring these new perspectives, we will enhance our understanding of hydrological extremes and improve our capacity to mitigate their impacts in a changing climate. This Special Issue will contribute valuable insights to the scientific community, inform adaptive strategies for water resource management, and bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical applications for dealing with hydrological extremes.

We encourage submissions that offer innovative methodologies, present case studies from diverse geographical contexts, or provide critical reviews of emerging trends in the field. The goal is to foster multidisciplinary dialogue that can lead to more robust and adaptable approaches to managing hydrological extremes in an era of unprecedented environmental challenges.

Dr. Luis Angel Espinosa
Prof. Dr. Maria Manuela Portela
Dr. João Filipe Santos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hydrological extremes
  • climate change
  • precipitation patterns
  • temperature variability
  • heatwaves
  • droughts
  • multivariate analysis
  • water resource management
  • adaptation strategies
  • artificial intelligence

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 891 KiB  
Article
Refining Drought Assessment: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Condition Monitoring Observer Reports in Missouri (2018–2024)
by Sarah M. Weaver, Anthony R. Lupo, Sherry Hunt and Noel Aloysius
Atmosphere 2025, 16(4), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040389 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 749
Abstract
In this study, we propose an enhanced methodology for assessing drought conditions through the systematic categorization of Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMORs) from Missouri between 2018 and 2024. Our approach introduces a novel classification framework to categorize drought impacts—meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic—and [...] Read more.
In this study, we propose an enhanced methodology for assessing drought conditions through the systematic categorization of Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMORs) from Missouri between 2018 and 2024. Our approach introduces a novel classification framework to categorize drought impacts—meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic—and aligns the analysis with established United States Drought Monitor (USDM) severity classifications. To complement this framework, we incorporate the New Drought Index (NDI), a recently developed quantitative metric that integrates atmospheric anomalies. Brief consideration is also given to atmospheric blocking patterns, which influence drought development. Advanced text processing techniques are employed to bridge qualitative and quantitative insights. The findings underscore the importance of integrating observer insights, atmospheric processes, and advanced indices to refine drought monitoring, inform climate adaptation strategies, and support proactive resource management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives in Hydrological Extremes)
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21 pages, 5612 KiB  
Article
Beyond Temperature Peaks: The Growing Persistence and Intensity of Tmin and Tmax Heatwaves in Portugal’s Changing Climate (1980/1981–2022/2023)
by Luis Angel Espinosa, Maria Manuela Portela and Nikte Ocampo-Guerrero
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121485 (registering DOI) - 12 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 740
Abstract
This study examines the trends in heatwave characteristics across mainland Portugal from 1980/1981 to 2022/2023, utilising ERA5-Land reanalysis data. To achieve this, the study applies the Heatwave Magnitude Index (HWMI) to identify heatwave days for minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax [...] Read more.
This study examines the trends in heatwave characteristics across mainland Portugal from 1980/1981 to 2022/2023, utilising ERA5-Land reanalysis data. To achieve this, the study applies the Heatwave Magnitude Index (HWMI) to identify heatwave days for minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures across 15 grid-points representing Portugal’s diverse geography and climate. Three key annual parameters are analysed: the number of heatwave days (ANDH), the average temperature during heatwaves (AATW), and the intensity of heatwave events (AIHD). Results reveal a consistent increase in heatwave persistence throughout mainland Portugal, with more pronounced trends observed for Tmax compared to Tmin. ANDH Tmin shows upward trends across all grid-points, with increases ranging from 0.8 to 4.2 days per decade. ANDH Tmax exhibits even more significant increases, with 11 out of 15 grid-points showing statistically significant rises, ranging from 2.2 to 4.4 days per decade. Coastal areas, particularly in the south, demonstrate the most substantial increases in heatwave persistence. The intensity of heatwaves, as measured by AIHD, also shows positive trends across all grid-points for both Tmin and Tmax, with southern locations experiencing the most significant increases. The study also discusses decadal trends in annual averages of Tmin and Tmax, as well as extreme measures such as annual minimum (AMIN) and annual maximum (AMAX), daily temperatures spatially represented across mainland Portugal. These analyses reveal widespread warming trends, with more pronounced increases in Tmax compared to Tmin. The AMIN and AMAX trends further corroborate the overall warming pattern from the heatwave analyses, with notable spatial variations observed. The findings indicate a substantial worsening in the occurrence, duration, and intensity of heatwave events. This increased persistence of heatwaves, especially evident from the early 2000s onwards, suggests a potential climate regime shift in mainland Portugal. The results underscore the need for adaptive strategies to address the growing challenges posed by more frequent and intense heatwaves in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives in Hydrological Extremes)
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