When I talk about droughts, I use the term “flash drought” to describe a drought that develops and gets worse very quickly. Most of the time, they are related to high temperatures and a completely or mostly dry period with almost no rain, and generally are most likely to be noticed in the growing season when plants need frequent rain to thrive. Here is a Discover article which gives a little more detail about them. The term has only been in use since about 2000.

A trio tractors rake, bale and collect straw at Scoggins Farm, a family farm on West Armuchee Road in South Walker County, Ga., on June 1, 2017. Plentiful rain so far this spring has fostered a far better growing season so far, local agriculture officials say. Photo by Ben Benton /Times Free Press.