A recent study highlights the often-overlooked issue of increasing soil temperatures and its implications for climate change. Researchers in Germany collected soil-temperature data from various sources and discovered that soil heat extremes are intensifying more rapidly than air temperatures. In Central Europe, including Germany, Italy, and southern France, soil heat extremes are rising 0.7 oC per decade faster than air temperatures near the surface. This phenomenon is attributed to soil moisture, influenced by land cover practices. The consequences of soil temperatures outpacing air temperatures include potential heat and carbon release into the atmosphere, emphasizing the need for re-evaluation of climate studies.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-023-01812-3#Sec5