Is it possible to forecast a drought?
Brendan A., Lombard  Dear Brendan,  The definition of drought varies greatly from one region to another in the United States. In the Chicago area and the Midwest in general, a drought consists of at least several months of severely subnormal precipitation, but that vague definition is inadequate. For example, a drought during the winter months may not be noticeable, but the same period of subnormal precip during the growing season will be. A few weeks of sharply subnormal precipitation at the outset of a drought will not be classified as a drought until the significant deficit persists well beyond that time. In general, a Midwestern drought is not forecastable, but a definition of drought is difficult to arrive at. Close Modal Suggest a Correction Suggest a Correction