News Climate

‘Flash droughts’ are growing increasingly common

Climate change is driving more frequent faster-forming droughts in most regions of the world

A photo of yellowed corn crops in a field.

Faster-forming droughts are increasing in frequency, researchers have found, a trend likely to worsen as the climate warms.

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By Richard Kemeny

Fast-forming droughts are occurring more often and with greater speed in many parts of the world due to climate change, a new study finds. These “flash droughts” are replacing more typical, slower ones and are harder to predict and prepare for, which could make their management more difficult.