In its simplest form, flash drought is the rapid onset of drought. In contrast with conventional drought, which is mainly driven by lack of precipitation, flash drought usually includes abnormally high temperatures, winds, and/or incoming radiation that leads to abnormally high evapotranspiration (ET) rates. The prediction of flash droughts on sub-seasonal timescales is of critical importance for impact assessment, disaster mitigation, and loss prevention.

The Office of Weather and Air Quality within NOAA Oceanic & Atmospheric Research has announced a funding opportunity for projects that aim to expand and improve the use of snowpack (snow water equivalent) and soil moisture remote sensing data.