Global changes in Compound Spatial Precipitation

Compound spatial precipitation events, occurring when extreme or moderate precipitation values manifest simultaneously or in sequence across multiple regions, amplify hydrological risks far beyond those of isolated events. This study assesses, at global scale, changes in compound spatial precipitation from 1980 to 2024, enabling the disentanglement of the individual contributions of spatial extent and intensity across regions. Our findings reveal that the expansion rate of the concurrent spatial area generally outpaces its intensification rate globally. This divergence is particularly pronounced in the tropical zone, suggesting that enhanced moisture supply in a warming atmosphere may be driving the increased spatial organization of extremes.