Aguilera-Vidal et al. (2026) Beyond localized hotspots: hazard connectivity in spatially compound rainfall-coastal storm events

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Environmental Research Letters
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-14
• Authors: María Aguilera-Vidal, Marc Sanuy, José A. Jiménez
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ae8a69

Research Groups

• Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
• National Centre for Meteorological Research (CNRM)

Short Summary

This study investigates the spatial organization of compound rainfall-coastal storm events along the Spanish Mediterranean coastline, revealing two distinct modes of hazard connectivity controlled by different synoptic-scale circulation regimes. The findings provide a framework for regional hazard assessment and climate adaptation.

Objective

• Investigate the atmospheric mechanisms governing the spatial organization of compound rainfall-coastal storm events along the Spanish Mediterranean coastline

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: ∼1600 km Spanish Mediterranean coastline
• Temporal Scale: 1980–2022

Methodology and Data

• Models used: ERA5 atmospheric fields
• Data sources: Rainfall observations, wave reanalysis

Main Results

• Two distinct modes of hazard connectivity: a spatially coherent Catalonia-Valencia corridor and a remote Andalusia-Catalonia linkage
• Contrasting synoptic-scale circulation regimes control rainfall and coastal storm development in each mode
• Northern-blocking pattern generates connected corridor through enhanced moisture transport and persistent easterly winds
• Atlantic low-pressure systems induce remote linkage through heavy rainfall in southwestern Iberia and southerly wave storms in the northwestern Mediterranean

Contributions

• Provides a transferable framework for regional hazard assessment, early-warning systems, and climate adaptation by considering both hazard interactions and connectivity across space

Funding

• This research was funded by projects PID2020-114155GB-I00 (AEI / 10.13039/501100011000) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Regional Development Fund

Citation

@article{AguileraVidal2026Beyond,
  author = {Aguilera-Vidal, María and Sanuy, Marc and Jiménez, José A.},
  title = {Beyond localized hotspots: hazard connectivity in spatially compound rainfall-coastal storm events},
  journal = {Environmental Research Letters},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1088/1748-9326/ae8a69},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ae8a69}
}