What is a fact about drought?
Meteorologists predict drought based on precipitation patterns, stream flow, and moisture of soil over long periods of time. In the United States, droughts are most likely to occur in the Midwest and the South. The effects of drought make it difficult to support food crops. A prolonged drought could lead to famine.
What was the longest drought in history?
The three longest drought episodes occurred between July 1928 and May 1942 (the 1930s Dust Bowl drought), July 1949 and September 1957 (the 1950s drought), and June 1998 and December 2014 (the early 21st-century drought).
How long do droughts last?
The beginning of a drought is difficult to determine. Several weeks, months, or even years may pass before people know that a drought is occurring. The end of a drought can occur as gradually as it began. Dry periods can last for 10 years or more.
Why are droughts interesting?
Interesting Drought Facts: Droughts can cause dust bowls, which can result in the top soil layer being completely blown away, leaving behind soil that does not have enough nutrients to sustain crop growth once the drought has ceased. Droughts do damage to the habitat of animals, birds, and fish as well.
What was the shortest drought?
1980-82
The drought of 1980-82 was the least severe and had the shortest duration.
Where are droughts most common?
Droughts in the United States Droughts can occur in any region of the world, including the U.S. Today, droughts in the U.S. are concentrated in the west part of the country. States like California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona are experiencing unprecedented heat and dry weather.
What was the shortest drought in history?
The drought of 1980-82 was the least severe and had the shortest duration.
What was the first drought?
The earliest drought recorded and observed in the United States was in 1621. The most well-known American drought was the Dust Bowl on the Great Plains from 1931 to 1936. The years 1934 and 1936 were the two driest years in the recorded history of U.S. climate.
What ends a drought?
The only way a drought can really end is with enough regular soaking rains or significant snow. Rains that soak into the soil can replenish the groundwater. Groundwater provides water to plants and can refill streams during non-rainy periods. One soaking rain may help improve drought conditions.
What state has the most droughts?
According to a U.S. Drought Monitor map published by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the 11 states experiencing extreme drought conditions are New Mexico; Arizona; California; Nevada; Utah; Oregon; Washington; Montana; North Dakota; Colorado; and Wyoming.
Where is the biggest drought?
From 1950 to 1957, Texas experienced the most severe drought in recorded history.