ClimateSeptember 2, 2026
megadrought
MEG-uh-drowt
Definition
A particularly severe and long-lasting period of drought, often persisting for several decades or longer, affecting a large geographic region.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek prefix 'mega-' (large or great) and the Middle English 'drought' (dryness). The term became common in scientific literature during the early 21st century to describe multi-decadal arid events identified in paleoclimate records.
In the news
The article uses 'megadrought' to describe the multi-year, intense water scarcity currently affecting the American West, distinguishing this long-term trend from simple seasonal dryness. It highlights how rising temperatures and declining snowpack exacerbate this phenomenon.
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Read the full article ↗Atmos.earth