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Local and Remote Impacts of Regional Irrigation on Near‐Surface Temperature.

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Title: Local and Remote Impacts of Regional Irrigation on Near‐Surface Temperature.
Authors: Li, Huazhen1,2 (AUTHOR) huazhen.li@unsw.edu.au, Lo, Min‐Hui3 (AUTHOR), Peel, Murray C.2 (AUTHOR), Ryu, Dongryeol2 (AUTHOR), Thiery, Wim4 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Yongqiang5 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres. 6/16/2026, Vol. 131 Issue 11, p1-11. 11p.
Subject Terms: *Irrigation, *Climate change, *Humidity, *Infrared radiation, *Water shortages, Surface temperature, Evaporative cooling
Geographic Terms: North India
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. Plain Language Summary: Irrigation plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture around the world. However, water supplies for irrigation are not sustainable in many regions, and water shortages are likely to become more common in the future. As a result, farmers in some areas may be forced to abruptly reduce or stop irrigation. In this study, we use a global climate model to examine how air temperatures might change if irrigation is stopped in Northwest India. We find that irrigation mainly cools the local environment through evaporation. When irrigation stops, near‐surface temperatures over Northwest India increase on average, although the warming is ∼0.2°–0.4°C. Importantly, stopping irrigation in Northwest India can also affect temperatures in distant regions. These remote temperature changes are linked to the movement of warm, moist air through the atmosphere. Our results highlight that the temperature effects of irrigation practices can extend beyond local areas and should be considered in climate and water management planning. Key Points: Evaporative cooling plays a dominant role in local climate responses to irrigation in Northwest IndiaAfter irrigation cessation, near‐surface temperatures over Northwest India increased on average but with limited magnitudeWarm, moist air advection likely plays an important role in irrigation‐induced temperature changes on a global scale [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: GreenFILE
Description
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. Plain Language Summary: Irrigation plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture around the world. However, water supplies for irrigation are not sustainable in many regions, and water shortages are likely to become more common in the future. As a result, farmers in some areas may be forced to abruptly reduce or stop irrigation. In this study, we use a global climate model to examine how air temperatures might change if irrigation is stopped in Northwest India. We find that irrigation mainly cools the local environment through evaporation. When irrigation stops, near‐surface temperatures over Northwest India increase on average, although the warming is ∼0.2°–0.4°C. Importantly, stopping irrigation in Northwest India can also affect temperatures in distant regions. These remote temperature changes are linked to the movement of warm, moist air through the atmosphere. Our results highlight that the temperature effects of irrigation practices can extend beyond local areas and should be considered in climate and water management planning. Key Points: Evaporative cooling plays a dominant role in local climate responses to irrigation in Northwest IndiaAfter irrigation cessation, near‐surface temperatures over Northwest India increased on average but with limited magnitudeWarm, moist air advection likely plays an important role in irrigation‐induced temperature changes on a global scale [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:2169897X
DOI:10.1029/2026JD046366