Drought

Drought is the result of a lack of moisture over some time, which can often result in a water shortage. This lack of moisture can be due to reduced precipitation, increased evaporation or transpiration, or higher temperatures. It can also result from a combination of all of these causes.

Data on rainfall, snowpack, streamflow, surface and groundwater levels, and current impacts on agriculture are used to help determine local and regional drought conditions.

Droughts are categorized as agricultural, hydrological, meteorological, or a combination of all three depending on the various characteristics and impacts.