Abstract
Soil moisture–temperature coupling plays a significant role in the persistence and amplification of extreme events such as droughts and heatwaves. Hence, a better understanding of soil moisture–temperature coupling can enhance the predictability associated with these extreme events. In this study, we investigate soil moisture coupling on mean daily maximum (\(T_\mathrm{{max}}\)) and minimum (\(T_\mathrm{{min}}\)) temperature over the Indian region. The results show that soil moisture exhibits negative feedback on \(T_\mathrm{{max}}\) and \(T_\mathrm{{min}}\) over central and north India leading to substantial negative feedback on Daily Temperature Range (DTR). Positive feedback is observed over a few regions of north-west India. In general, stronger negative feedback is observed for \(T_\mathrm{{max}}\) than \(T_\mathrm{{min}}\). The negative feedback induced variability accounts for 5–30% of the total variability of temperature. A strong dependence of evapotranspiration on \(T_\mathrm{{max}}\), \(T_\mathrm{{min}}\) and DTR is observed for central and north Indian regions.
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Data availability
MERRA 2 Re-analysis and GLDAS data used in this study are publicly available in the link https://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov. IMD temperature data can be downloaded from https://www.imdpune.gov.in/Clim_Pred_LRF_New/Grided_Data_Download.html. CPC Oceanic Niño Index is taken from https://origin.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensostuff/ONI_v5.php
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Acknowledgements
We thank the University Grants Commission, India and Department of Science and Technology, India (DST/CCP/MRDP/94/2017 G) for providing the grant to carry out this work. We also extend our thanks to NASA GES DISK and India Meteorological Department for providing the datasets.
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Joy, A., Satheesan, K. Influence of soil moisture on mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures over India. Meteorol Atmos Phys 134, 49 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-022-00887-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-022-00887-5