According to Nova Next on PBS, scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) have analyzed soil moisture and snowpack data in the months leading up to the drought and have discovered that they could have been used to make a much earlier drought prediction. If the model can be applied to similar droughts in the future, it could have huge impacts on crop yields, food prices, water management, and perhaps even taxpayers’ wallets. Flash droughts are those that develop very quickly in response to high temperatures and lack of rainfall. You can read more at https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/earth/new-system-predicts-flash-droughts-up-to-four-months-ahead-of-time/.
