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What is Drought

Drought Timescales: Short- vs. Long-Term Drought

Short- and long-term droughts differ in the timescales over which they occur, their impacts, and their monitoring.

Defining Short- and Long-Term Drought

If a weather pattern that results in a precipitation deficit lasts for a few weeks or months, it is considered short-term drought. If the pattern and precipitation deficits last for more than six months, it is typically considered long-term drought. 

It is possible to have short-term changes that result in wet spells during a drought and for wet conditions to be interrupted by weather patterns that result in short-term drought.

Short-Term Drought Impacts and Monitoring

Long-Term Drought Impacts and Monitoring

Resources

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Research & Learn | Monitoring Drought

Learn more about the importance and challenges of monitoring drought.

Research & Learn | Flash Drought

Flash drought can quickly deplete soil moisture and dramatically increase evaporative stress on the environment. Learn more about flash drought here.