[MCN] Can wind cause drying of the land surface?

[Lance Olsen]

Google AI Overview

 Yes, wind is one of the primary drivers of surface drying. It accelerates evaporation by continuously sweeping moisture-saturated air away from the ground and replacing it with drier air, forcing the soil to release more water vapor to maintain atmospheric balance. [1 <https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a23771/eli5_how_wind_and_blowing_air_help_to_dry/>, 2 <https://snubber.ai/engineering-interview-questions/thermodynamics-clothes-dry-faster-cold>, 3 <https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4pwt40/eli5whyhow_does_wind_make_wet_cloths_dry/>]
The mechanics of how wind dries the land surface include:
Vapor Pressure Gradient: Wind constantly moves air masses over the ground. Because moving air is typically unsaturated with water, it encourages water from the soil to evaporate rapidly to fill the air's moisture-holding capacity. [1 <https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/761110/how-does-the-drying-of-dishes-outdoors-by-a-cool-wind-on-an-overcast-day-relate>, 2 <https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a23771/eli5_how_wind_and_blowing_air_help_to_dry/>]
Disrupting Microclimates: Without wind, air right above the ground becomes humid and slows down further evaporation. Wind gusts disrupt this protective layer, increasing the rate of moisture loss. [1 <https://www.agry.purdue.edu/soils_judging/new_manual/ch6-wind.html>, 2 <https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a23771/eli5_how_wind_and_blowing_air_help_to_dry/>]
Turbulence and Mixing: Even in environments like grasslands, wind energy (or localized air disturbances from things like wind turbines <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36209881/>) mixes dry air downward toward the soil surface, accelerating moisture depletion. [1 <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36209881/>, 2 <https://www.juwi.com/news/blog/article/surprising-criticism-are-wind-farms-responsible-for-heatwaves-and-droughts>]
This drying effect is highly dependent on ambient temperature, wind speed, and the presence of vegetative cover. When soils dry out quickly, the top layer becomes susceptible to wind erosion. [1 <https://www.agry.purdue.edu/soils_judging/new_manual/ch6-wind.html>, 2 <https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Wind_Erosion-FS-24.pdf>, 3 <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/wind-erosion>]


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"Direct effects of climatic warming can be understood through fatal decrements in an organism's performance in growth, reproduction, foraging, immune competence, behaviors and competitiveness.”


Portner and Farrell. Physiology and Climate Change. Science  October 31 2008

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