Spring Irrigation Reduces the Frequency and Intensity of Summer Extreme Heat Events in the North China Plain

Abstract

AbstractIrrigation has distinct impacts on extreme temperatures. Due to the carryover effect of soil moisture into other seasons, temperature impacts of irrigation are not limited to irrigated seasons. Focusing on the North China Plain, where irrigation occurs in both spring (March‐April‐May) and summer (June‐July‐August), with a higher proportion of irrigation water applied during spring, we investigate the impact of spring irrigation on summer extreme heat events. Based on partial correlation analysis of data products, we find positive correlations between spring and summer soil moisture, suggesting that spring irrigation‐induced water surplus persists into the following summer and affects regional climate by impacting surface energy partitioning. Regional climate simulations confirm cross‐seasonal climatic effects and show that spring irrigation reduces the frequency and intensity of summer extreme heat events by approximately −2.5 days and −0.29°C, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of the cross‐seasonal climatic effect of irrigation in mitigating climate extremes.