Compound Extreme Events in a Changing Climate: Atmospheric Mechanisms and Hydrological Consequences

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing frequency and intensity of compound extreme events—where multiple climate hazards occur simultaneously or in succession—pose one of the most severe challenges under anthropogenic climate change. These compound events, such as concurrent heatwaves and droughts, and storm sequences leading to floods, often lead to cascading impacts that are disproportionately larger than the sum of their individual parts. Understanding the atmospheric processes that drive these phenomena and their subsequent hydrological consequences is therefore critical for risk assessment and the development of effective adaptation strategies. This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between atmospheric science and hydrology by providing a platform for cutting-edge research on this critical topic. It will focus on elucidating the atmospheric mechanisms (e.g., persistent blocking patterns, land–atmosphere feedback, atmospheric rivers) that trigger and amplify compound extremes. The scope encompasses studies that investigate hydrological impacts, including flash flooding, watershed inundation, water quality degradation, and alterations to the terrestrial water cycle. We encourage submissions that employ novel methodologies, including high-resolution modeling, AI and machine learning, remote sensing, paleoclimatology, and risk assessment frameworks. The purpose of this Special Issue is to synthesize current knowledge, advance predictive capabilities, and foster interdisciplinary dialogue. We invite contributions of original research and comprehensive reviews that will ultimately inform policies and strategies for building a more resilient society.

Dr. Huanhuan Li
Prof. Dr. Yudong Lu
Dr. Xianmin Ke
Guest Editors

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