Vegetation cover and agricultural crops dependent on these water bodies also die due to the absence of water. Thus, human activities can also trigger drought or worsen the impact of a drought caused by meteorological alterations.All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com Frequently, droughts are billion dollar weather events and are one of the top three threats to population in the world (along with famine and flooding). Drought is increasingly on the minds of Americans and concerned citizens everywhere. Meteorological disturbances like extremely high temperatures and changes in wind patterns can lead to lower than normal rainfall in an area. There would be less water in the river for you and other people who live along the river to use. Drought has many causes. If you're seeing rain or snow, but are seeing it in lighter amounts -- a drizzle here and flurries there, rather than steady rain or snow showers -- this can also signal a drought in-the-making. Preventing, Predicting, and Preparing for Droughts Environmental Consequences of the California DroughtChance of Rain: Making Sense of Precipitation Forecasts Even though it is a natural disaster, it is one that can be prevented by man up to a certain extent. Can a drought be predicted? Be sure to monitor these drought resources & links: CLIMATE CHANGE : due to the depletion in the ozone layer, there is an ever increasing rise in atmospheric temperature in certain places. The western United States has experienced periods of horrible droughts throughout history, and climate change is blamed for producing more extreme weather variations in many other regions. Temperature swings in the ocean were blamed for fueling the California drought. It can be caused by not receiving rain or snow over a period of time.

While this certainly can initiate drought conditions, oftentimes the onset of a drought is less noticeable. If you're seeing rain or snow, but are seeing it in lighter amounts -- a drizzle here and flurries there, rather than steady rain or snow showers -- this can also signal a drought in-the-making. Drought can be caused by lack of rain or snow over a lengthy period of time. Lower than average levels of rainfall over a sustained period of time can dry the soil and and lead to crop failures. According to researchers, a region of high atmospheric pressure in the equatorial Pacific diverted winter storms preventing them from reaching California. Countries that experience little rainfall have an even greater scarcity of rainfall. What causes a drought? Droughts are usually common in places where normal levels of rainfall are generally low, making them more susceptible to changes in precipitation patterns.Droughts are common in areas experiencing long, dry seasons. In a prolonged drought, unemployment of farmers and even retailers can occur, having a significant impact on the economy of the area and those with economic ties to it. As a result, water bodies like lakes and rivers dry up nearly completely.

If you live in a place where most of the water you use comes from a river, a drought in your area can be caused by places upstream from you not receiving enough moisture. Lower than average levels of rainfall over a sustained period of time can dry the soil and and lead to crop failures. Weather Patterns . While this certainly can initiate drought conditions, oftentimes the onset of a drought is less noticeable.

In this article, we will see what drought is, its types, causes and effects.. Drought is a temporary situation in which there is the rainfall is below normal that leads to water shortage.

The cutting down of forests prohibit the soil being able to hold water which causes the ground to dry out. A common misconception of droughts is that they're brought on by periods of no rain or snow.