drought cycles
Periodic water scarcity
Drought cycles are recurring patterns of water scarcity in a region, alternating between dry periods and wetter intervals over years or decades.
Climate scientists study these cycles to predict future water availability: The Southwest has experienced drought cycles for thousands of years.
Understanding historical drought cycles helps communities plan for agriculture, water storage, and conservation.
- aridDevoid of water
- bone dryTotally devoid of moisture
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
- parched earthSeverely dried-out ground
- rainfallWater falling from clouds
famine · dust · dust storm · cracked · reservoir · withered · barren · monsoon · irrigation · aquifer · scorched · precipitation · wells · climate · climate change · harvest · El Niño · La Niña