A stormy past: long-term temperature evolution and volcanic activity as drivers of Holocene storminess in the eastern North Atlantic

Understanding long-term variability in storminess is essential for constraining future climate patterns in the eastern North Atlantic, a region shaped by complex ocean–atmosphere interactions. Here, we reconstruct storm, fire, and hydroclimate variability from grain size, inorganic geochemistry, plant macrofossil and molecular organic records since mid-Holocene at Glenties Bog, a coastal blanket bog in western Ireland. Comparing our results with existing palaeostorminess records, we provide new insights into a dynamic interplay between wind strength, fire incidence, and hydrological conditions throughout the Holocene. Long-term temperature evolution influenced the background wind and hydroclimatic state, while volcanic activity became a key forcing mechanism during parts of the late Holocene. The warm mid-Holocene coincided with lower wind strength and enhanced fire activity, while no assoication between storm periods and volcanic activity was inferred, indicating that the climate state at the time of the volcanic forcing affects the climatic response. These results indicate that future warming may lead to profound changes in wind strength, hydroclimate, and fire regimes. Notably, climate-change-induced lowering of peatland water tables may increase the susceptibility of blanket bogs to intense and deep peatland fires. This study provides new insight into Holocene wind and hydroclimate dynamics in the eastern North Atlantic, improving understanding of the mechanisms driving North Atlantic climate variability across contrasting climate states. • Multiproxy reconstruction of Holocene climate in the eastern North Atlantic • Holocene temperature trends influenced background wind and hydroclimate • Mid-Holocene warmth associated with dry conditions, fires, and low wind strengths • Late Holocene marked by wetter conditions and enhanced storminess • Volcanic activity associated with enhanced storminess during parts of the late Holocene