Research & Analysis • January 2026
Understanding Droughts in North America
As climate patterns shift and water demands grow, understanding drought dynamics has never been more critical for those managing water infrastructure across the US and Canada.
When most people think of drought, they picture cracked desert soil or dried-up riverbeds in the American Southwest. But the reality is far more complex—and increasingly relevant to water operations across the entire continent. The US National Weather Service defines drought as a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period that adversely impacts people, animals, or vegetation.
Unlike rapid-onset disasters such as tornadoes or floods, droughts typically emerge gradually over months or years, making them particularly challenging to identify and manage. In the western United States, the average drought-affected area has increased by 17 percent between 2000 and 2022, compared to the second half of the 20th century.
The Four Types of Drought
Understanding drought categories helps water managers anticipate and respond to developing conditions. Drought experts typically distinguish between several types, which can be helpful in understanding their causes and impacts.
Meteorological Drought
Where it all begins—reduced precipitation leading to increased dryness. This is typically the first stage and origin point for other drought types.
Agricultural Drought
When prolonged dryness reduces soil moisture to levels that harm plant roots. Can develop quickly during high-demand crop stages like flowering.
Hydrological Drought
Extended disruptions that diminish flows in rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers. Human water usage heavily influences severity and duration.
Ecological Drought
Compound effects pushing ecosystems beyond their capacity to cope, causing habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and wildfire risk.
Recent Drought Coverage: A Troubling Trend
From late 2020 to early 2023, over 40 percent of the US mainland was under some level of drought for more than 119 consecutive weeks. The peak came in October 2022 when 85% of the contiguous United States experienced drought conditions.
US Drought Coverage Peak (October 2022)
Percentage of contiguous US under drought conditions
⚠️ Geographic Shift Alert
Current trends show drought persisting and expanding in eastern and southern regions—the Ohio Valley, Northeast, and Southeast—even as wetter conditions have emerged in parts of the West. This geographic shift matters enormously for water infrastructure planning.
The Climate Change Connection
Research increasingly links drought severity to climate-driven temperature changes. A 2024 study found that climate-driven temperature increases were responsible for 61% of the severity of the 2020–2022 regional drought in the western United States.
