Articles | Volume 7, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-7-17-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-7-17-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 Jan 2026
Research article |
| 06 Jan 2026
| 06 Jan 2026
Properties and characteristics of atmospheric deserts over Europe: a first statistical analysis
Department of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Achim Zeileis
Department of Statistics, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Isabell Stucke
Department of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Reto Stauffer
Department of Statistics & Digital Science Center, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Georg J. Mayr
Department of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Atmospheric deserts (ADs) are air masses that are transported away from hot, dry regions. Our study introduces this new concept. ADs can suppress or boost thunderstorms and potentially contribute to the formation of heat waves, which makes them relevant for forecasting extreme events. Using a novel detection method, we follow an AD directly from North Africa to Europe for a case in June 2022, allowing us to analyse the air mass at any time and investigate how it is modified along the way.
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Short summary
Atmospheric deserts are air masses from the boundary layer of desert regions. This study tracked them from North Africa to Europe during a two-year period (May 2022–April 2024). They can occur up to 60 % of the time, and can span large parts of Europe. They typically last about a day, and can alter the atmosphere throughout the free troposphere. On its way from Africa the air either rises and may become even warmer and drier, or it stays at mid-altitudes and cools, or retains its properties.
Atmospheric deserts are air masses from the boundary layer of desert regions. This study tracked...
