How likely is it that a megadrought will happen in the 21st century?

Our analysis has critical implications for resource management: For instance, previous work has shown that the risk of a multidecadal “megadrought” event is expected to exceed 99% by the end of the 21st century in some regions (9, 13).

Will 2022 be a drought?

At a Glance. The first four months of 2022 were the driest on record in California. California is about to enter its dry season. Much of the Southwest and Plains have been much drier than usual, fueling drought.

Will the megadrought end?

At the end of this century, scientists believe that megadroughts – extended drought events that can last two decades or more – will be more severe and longer than they are today in western United States. Coupled with worsening climate change, those droughts will likely be more dangerous and extreme.

How long will the megadrought last?

Scientists who study past climate in the region said in a study published this week that the current megadrought is now the driest two-decade period in at least 1,200 years. Their simulations also predicted that it would continue this year and likely longer.

What type of spring is predicted for 2022?

A warmer-than-average spring is predicted for a large portion of the United States, with near-average or cooler temperatures confined to areas from the West Coast to the Northern Plains, according to the spring 2022 outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released Thursday.

How long do mega droughts last?

The researchers found that several significant megadroughts have occurred in the region over the past 12 centuries, some even lasting up to 30 years.

How long will mega drought last?

How long will the mega drought last?

What states are having a megadrought?

The river supplies water across seven states, from Wyoming to California, and to northern Mexico. But it has been chronically overused, and the drought has compounded the problems. Over the past year, its two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, declined to their lowest levels on record.

Will the mega drought end?