Droughts happen when there is not enough rain for a long period of time. It's not like a dry spell - there is so little precipitation (rain, snow, sleet or any kind of moisture) that a whole region starts to dry out.

Where and when do droughts occur?

Meteorologists predict drought based on precipitation patterns, stream flow, and moisture of soil over long periods of time. In the United States, droughts are most likely to occur in the Midwest and the South.

What causes a drought to occur?

A drought is caused by drier than normal conditions that can eventually lead to water supply problems. Really hot temperatures can make a drought worse by causing moisture to evaporate from the soil. ... Droughts only occur when an area is abnormally dry.