Hazards and Threats

Drought

Current Situation

Droughts are normal climate features and can occur almost anywhere. A drought is a lack of water over a large area for a significant amount of time. Droughts may be categorized as:

  • Meteorological – measured by how far from normal precipitation has been over a period of time.
  • Agricultural – occurs when soil moisture is insufficient for crops or livestock. It may occur in times of average precipitation depending on soil types.
  • Hydrological – refers to deficiencies in surface (lakes, rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater levels.
  • Socioeconomic – determined by the effect a physical water shortage has on daily life.  

Related Issues

 

U.S. Drought Monitor released every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook

Alabama Forestry Commission

daily fire weather conditions

EDEN Drought page