Extreme Weather Toolkit: Drought

Rising global temperatures are altering the water cycle and increasing the risk of drought in parts of the U.S. 

There are several different types of drought, characterized by a deficit of precipitation (meteorological), soil moisture (agricultural), or runoff (hydrological).

The U.S. has experienced significant meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological droughts since 2011. Drought can lead to short- and long-term impacts on water supplies, agriculture, ecosystems, wildfire risk, public health and more. 

Warming air increases the potential evaporation from the land and transpiration from plants. This process increases the water available for precipitation in some areas but contributes to drying in other areas — such as the southwestern U.S.

The recent southwestern megadrought (2000-2021) is the most severe of the past 1,200 years, and over 40% of the drought’s severity is attributed to human-caused climate change. Risks of severe and prolonged megadroughts in the Southwest are projected to intensify over this century with continued warming. 

 As the climate continues to warm, the western U.S. also faces increasing risks of hydrological drought due to declining snowpack and earlier spring melt. 

Overall, human-caused warming is projected to result in drier soils and less runoff in the long term. According to the latest IPCC reports, warming since the 1950s has also increased the frequency of concurrent heatwaves and droughts on a global scale.

Updated: April 2024

Resources

These resources explore the science, trends, and local impacts of drought

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Climate Matters

Water in the West

This week, we explain how exceptional drought and our warming climate put western water supplies at risk.

Climate Matters

Drought and Deluge in 2022

2022 has been a boom or bust year for precipitation. Heavy rain caused devastating flash floods in some parts of the U.S., while scarce precipitation has contributed to prolonged drought in other areas.

Climate Matters

Drought and Western Snowpack

Drought conditions are intensifying across much of the United States, especially in the West — impacting agriculture and recreation, as well as energy generation and natural ecosystems.

Climate Matters

Climate Change & Crops

As dry spells and heat waves collide more often, farmers face damaging impacts to crops.

Climate Matters

Vulnerability to Drought

A recent study scored U.S. states on their overall vulnerability to drought, as being driven by three factors: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity

Climate Matters

Wettest Seasons in U.S. Regions

Water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems all rely on precipitation. Explore seasonal precipitation patterns in U.S. states and regions and see how they’re changing.

Climate Matters

World Water Day

Happy World Water Day! We explore how the increased flooding, drought, and heat from climate change are impacting our water supply.