Abstract Flash droughts (FDs), characterized by rapid soil moisture depletion, are typically driven by multiple factors including precipitation deficits, high temperature, increased radiation, strong winds, and enhanced landāatmosphere coupling. However, the dominant driver and its temporal evolution remain unclear. Here, we systematically quantified the relative contributions of these drivers and demonstrated that precipitation has historically been the dominant driver, followed by temperature. Under climate warming, however, precipitationās contribution is declining while temperatureās role is becoming increasingly prominent. Despite interāmodel uncertainties, the multiāmodel ensemble mean indicates that temperature is projected to surpass precipitation as the dominant driver in the majority (>15) of the 27 analyzed regions. An earlier transition (generally before 2060) is projected for regions including western North America, northern Asia, southeastern Asia, and central Africa. Our findings underscore a critical transformation in drought mechanisms and the urgency of implementing climateāresilient drought adaptation frameworks in a warming climate.