"Unprecedented Hot Drought: Western US Faces Extreme Weather in Last 500 Years, New Research Shows"

New research using a technique called blue light intensity on tree rings has revealed an unprecedented "hot drought" in Western North America over the last century, with increased association in recent decades. The study, published in Science Advances, shows a strong relationship between rising summer temperatures and decreasing soil moisture, leading to more frequent and severe drought conditions. The findings suggest that high temperatures have amplified soil moisture deficits and contributed to the frequency, intensity, and spatial extent of drought conditions, indicating a potential link to anthropogenic climate change.