Study Finds Western Megadrought is Worst in 12 Centuries

CHALLENGE, WATER FEBRUARY 14, 2022

The drought that began in 2000 is now the driest two decades since 800 A.D.

According to a new study published today in Nature Climate Change, the Western U.S. and northern Mexico are experiencing their driest period in at least 1,200 years.

One-fifth of the current megadrought is attributed to human-caused climate change. Emissions of greenhouse gases warm the planet, accelerate evaporation, and disrupt weather patterns.

Generally, a megadrought is considered to be both severe and long, lasting several decades. However, even a megadrought can have periods of wet weather. There are just not enough consecutive wet years to end the drought.

Learn more @ NPR