{"id":9892,"date":"2026-09-04T18:17:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T18:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/ground_post\/nasa-knows-drought-nasa-science\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T18:17:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T18:17:48","slug":"nasa-knows-drought-nasa-science","status":"publish","type":"ground_post","link":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/ground_post\/nasa-knows-drought-nasa-science\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Knows Drought &#8211; NASA Science"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div wp_automatic_readability=\"207.86315077102\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n<div class=\"hds-page-intro width-full maxw-full padding-y-6 padding-x-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block\" wp_automatic_readability=\"7.3704414587332\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-18\">NASA Knows: Drought<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"heading-41\"\/>\n<p class=\"p-lg margin-0 margin-bottom-2\">Drought can begin quietly\u00a0or arrive in a flash.\u00a0It can begin with too little rain, too little snow, or a water supply that never fully recovers from past dry years.\u00a0NASA helps communities see where rain and snow are falling, where water is stored, how it is being used, and whether landscapes are recovering from drought or still running a deficit.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"keys\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low precipitation that causes water shortages in soil, rivers,\u00a0reservoirs, <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\">snowpack<\/a><\/strong>, or\u00a0underground\u00a0<strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\">aquifers<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Droughts can last from weeks to decades, depending on severity\u00a0and how quickly water systems recover.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Droughts\u00a0can affect\u00a0drinking water, agriculture, energy, ecosystems,\u00a0recreation, navigation, and wildfire risk.\u00a0Extreme heat and land use\u00a0can make drought\u00a0impacts\u00a0worse.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA\u2019s Earth-observing satellites,\u00a0aircraft, models, and data tools\u00a0help farmers, ranchers, water managers, emergency planners, and communities track drought\u00a0and make better-informed decisions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"basics\" class=\"hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-listicle\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle bg-spacesuit-white maxw-full width-full padding-0 color-mode-dark nasa-gb-align-full\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-wrapper padding-y-4 padding-x-3\">\n<h2 class=\"hds-listicle-heading\">The basics<\/h2>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 listicle-layout-multiple\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 padding-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-text-wrapper\" wp_automatic_readability=\"37.877917414722\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-list-text\" wp_automatic_readability=\"46.240574506284\">\n<h3 class=\"heading-22\"><strong>What is\u00a0drought?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"hds-listicle-list-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA drought happens when water availability falls below normal for an extended period.\u00a0One useful way to think about drought is through three connected parts of the water system: how water is\u00a0delivered, how it is\u00a0stored, and how it is\u00a0used. Water may arrive as rain or snow. It may be stored in snowpack, rivers, reservoirs, soil, wetlands, or underground aquifers. It may be used by crops,\u00a0forests, cities, industry, power systems, and ecosystems. Drought can\u00a0emerge\u00a0when any part of that system falls out of balance.\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/elephant-butte-reservoir-runs-low\/\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm hds-listicle-button link-external-false\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRead More                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"\/><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 padding-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-text-wrapper\" wp_automatic_readability=\"39.171380090498\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-list-text\" wp_automatic_readability=\"49.326923076923\">\n<h3 class=\"heading-22\"><strong>What\u00a0causes drought?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"hds-listicle-list-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDroughts often result from a combination of factors, including large-scale climate patterns, persistent weather systems, and changes in when or how often major storms bring rain or snow. A shift in ocean temperatures like\u00a0those associated with <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\">El Ni\u00f1o or La Ni\u00f1a<\/a><\/strong> can disrupt rainfall patterns. Persistent high-pressure\u00a0weather\u00a0systems can\u00a0reduce precipitation\u00a0and enhance regional heating.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In the Western U.S., drought is often shaped by snow as much as rain. Warmer winters can make more precipitation fall as rain instead of snow, and early heat can melt snowpack before spring and summer, when water demand is highest. That can mean less water in rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers, even in years with winter storms.\u00a0Human factors, including overuse of surface water or groundwater and changes in land cover, can worsen drought impacts.\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/el-nino\/\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm hds-listicle-button link-external-false\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRead More                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"\/><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 padding-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-text-wrapper\" wp_automatic_readability=\"35.888268156425\">\n<div class=\"hds-listicle-list-text\" wp_automatic_readability=\"42.279329608939\">\n<h3 class=\"heading-22\"><strong>How does drought affect us?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"hds-listicle-list-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDrought\u00a0can\u00a0affect drinking water, crops, rangelands, hydroelectric power,\u00a0ecosystems, recreation,\u00a0and even shipping when rivers run low. Farmers may face crop losses or rising irrigation costs. Low reservoirs can lead to water\u00a0use\u00a0restrictions.\u00a0Low streamflow and elevated water temperatures can\u00a0harm\u00a0aquatic life, including\u00a0salmon survival and reproductive success. Reduced\u00a0water availability dries out\u00a0grasslands and\u00a0forests, creating conditions\u00a0that can increase wildfire risk.\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/the-mississippi-is-mighty-parched-151897\/\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm hds-listicle-button link-external-false\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRead More                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"\/><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"Snow\" class=\"hds-tabbed-section color-mode-light padding-y-6 padding-x-3 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-tabbed-section\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block\">\n<ul class=\"hds-tab-nav usa-list usa-list--unstyled grid-row\" role=\"tablist\">\n<li role=\"presentation\" class=\"hds-tab-nav-item usa-active\" data-tab-id=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button role=\"tab\" type=\"button\" id=\"tab0-in-focus:-2026-western-snow-drought\" aria-selected=\"true\" aria-controls=\"panel0-in-focus:-2026-western-snow-drought\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tIn Focus: 2026 Western Snow Drought\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li role=\"presentation\" class=\"hds-tab-nav-item\" data-tab-id=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t<button role=\"tab\" type=\"button\" id=\"tab1-why-it-matters\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"panel1-why-it-matters\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhy It Matters\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li role=\"presentation\" class=\"hds-tab-nav-item\" data-tab-id=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t<button role=\"tab\" type=\"button\" id=\"tab2-nasa-in-action\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"panel2-nasa-in-action\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tNASA In Action\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tabs margin-top-6\">\n<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tab desktop:display-flex usa-active\" data-tab-id=\"0\" role=\"tabpanel\" id=\"panel0-in-focus:-2026-western-snow-drought\" aria-labelledby=\"tab0-in-focus:-2026-western-snow-drought\" wp_automatic_readability=\"19.358922829582\">\n<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\" wp_automatic_readability=\"33.697628458498\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-29\">2026 Western Snow Drought<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p-md\">During the winter of 2025\u201326, unusually warm conditions caused more precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow across much of the western United States, while low precipitation also limited how much snow accumulated in some areas. On Jan. 15, satellite-based measurements showed that snow covered about 142,700 square miles of the West \u2014 the lowest coverage for that date in the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) record dating back to 2001. <\/p>\n<p>January, February, and March of 2026 each had the lowest snow cover for that month in the MODIS record, with a late March heat wave accelerating the decline.<\/p>\n<p>By spring, snowpack had peaked weeks earlier than usual in many areas. In the Upper Colorado River Basin, for example, snow water equivalent peaked around mid-March 2026, about four weeks early.<\/p>\n<p>By late summer, the below-average snow year had compounded long-term water shortages across the West, leaving many major reservoirs at or near historic lows.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tab desktop:display-flex\" data-tab-id=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" id=\"panel1-why-it-matters\" aria-labelledby=\"tab1-why-it-matters\" hidden=\"\" wp_automatic_readability=\"14.837740384615\">\n<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\" wp_automatic_readability=\"24.69262295082\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-29\">Why It Matters<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p-md\">When snow melts too early, water may move through rivers before communities, farms, and ecosystems need it most. The effects can continue long after the snow itself has disappeared:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Water supplies:<\/strong> Less or earlier runoff can reduce water availability later in the year and complicate reservoir operations and water-supply forecasts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Agriculture and energy:<\/strong> Farmers may have less water available during the growing season, while changes in streamflow can affect hydropower production.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ecosystems:<\/strong> Lower and warmer streams can impact fish and other aquatic life, including salmon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wildfire:<\/strong> Earlier snow loss can allow soils and vegetation to dry sooner, contributing to conditions that are conducive to wildfire.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tab desktop:display-flex\" data-tab-id=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" id=\"panel2-nasa-in-action\" aria-labelledby=\"tab2-nasa-in-action\" hidden=\"\" wp_automatic_readability=\"22.359081419624\">\n<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\" wp_automatic_readability=\"39.721146398141\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-29\">NASA In Action<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p-md\">NASA&#8217;s Earth observations provide open, scientifically validated information that helps water managers and other experts understand current conditions and make informed decisions based on NASA data.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See snow drought more clearly.<\/strong> Ground stations provide precise measurements at individual locations. NASA Earth observations add a consistent view across entire watersheds, including remote areas. NASA-funded and NASA-enabled products such as Snow Today use that data to show where snow remains, how much water it holds, and how conditions change during melt season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Understand water supplies.<\/strong> NASA information enables government, university, and commercial tools that estimate how much water will reach rivers and reservoirs and when. These tools can connect current snowpack conditions to water supplies expected later in the season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Respond with a fuller picture.<\/strong> NASA observations and derived products also show soil moisture, groundwater, rivers, reservoirs, and water use. Missions and tools such as GRACE-FO, SMAP, SWOT, and OpenET give states, tribes, utilities, farmers, and other decision-makers a fuller picture of water supply and demand. NASA scientists and data also support the U.S. Drought Monitor, the nation\u2019s weekly assessment of drought conditions.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide\" id=\"vital\"><strong>Vital info<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide\"><strong>Is my area experiencing drought?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NASA is an official partner in the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Drought Monitor<\/a>,\u00a0along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,\u00a0the\u00a0National\u00a0Oceanic and\u00a0Atmospheric\u00a0Administration (NOAA), and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. NASA scientists serve on the rotating team that produces its weekly maps. Scientists combine NASA observations and models with information from federal, state, and local experts to assess drought conditions across the nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide\"><strong>What is a flash drought?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all droughts build slowly. \u201cFlash droughts\u201d can develop in a matter of weeks when intense heat quickly dries out soil and vegetation. NASA\u00a0Earth missions\u00a0may detect these rapid changes in <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\">soil moisture<\/a><\/strong>, helping farmers and forecasters respond before crops wither.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide\"><strong>How\u00a0do\u00a0droughts end?\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drought recovery can take time. A single storm may temporarily revive vegetation, but rivers, reservoirs, and\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\"><strong>aquifers<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>may need months or years to refill.\u00a0Drought can also create conditions that may trigger other problems.\u00a0Soil, for example,\u00a0may become so compacted during drought that it\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0able to absorb water effectively, increasing\u00a0the risk of\u00a0floods and dust storms. NASA satellites help track\u00a0a drought\u2019s\u00a0recovery phase, showing how landscapes are bouncing back.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-video bg-carbon-black padding-y-8 padding-x-3 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-featured-video\">\n<div class=\"grid-container-widescreen grid-container padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-5 desktop:padding-bottom-0\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.152317880795\">\n<div class=\"hds-featured-videos-video-content\" wp_automatic_readability=\"39.64238410596\">\n<p>Featured Video<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-36 color-spacesuit-white margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2\">A Year of River Flow<\/h3>\n<p class=\"color-carbon-20 p-sm margin-bottom-3\">This visualization, based on data from the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite, shows seasonal changes in river volume worldwide from October 2023 to September 2024, including for the Mississippi, Amazon, Congo, Ganges, and Yangtze rivers.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/swot\/\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm link-external-false\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 color-spacesuit-white-important\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tLearn More                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"\/><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-8 desktop:padding-left-5 position-relative\">\n<div class=\"hds-featured-videos-video-player\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SWOT River Volume Variations\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R1KPYRNNMDU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"science\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How the science happens<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using\u00a0<strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\">remote sensing<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0NASA\u00a0tracks\u00a0key\u00a0parts of the water cycle from space:\u00a0rain and snow,\u00a0snow cover,\u00a0soil moisture, signs of plant stress, surface water, and total water storage, including groundwater.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Airborne\u00a0missions\u00a0and\u00a0computer models\u00a0fill in\u00a0additional\u00a0detail and help simulate\u00a0what satellites\u00a0cannot\u00a0see directly.\u00a0Field\u00a0measurements\u00a0remain\u00a0essential for checking and improving those\u00a0observations.\u00a0That broad view can help\u00a0reveal where\u00a0snow\u00a0remains, where soils are dry, where reservoirs are shrinking, and whether groundwater and ecosystems are recovering.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-video bg-carbon-black padding-y-8 padding-x-3 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-featured-video\">\n<div class=\"grid-container-widescreen grid-container padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-5 desktop:padding-bottom-0\" wp_automatic_readability=\"7.7269624573379\">\n<div class=\"hds-featured-videos-video-content\" wp_automatic_readability=\"34.77133105802\">\n<p>Featured Video<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-36 color-spacesuit-white margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2\">From Floods to Droughts<\/h3>\n<p class=\"color-carbon-20 p-sm margin-bottom-3\">More than 10 years after launch, the joint NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission continues to provide a global view of rain and snow, helping scientists track where precipitation is falling short and how much storms deliver.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/gpm\/\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm link-external-false\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 color-spacesuit-white-important\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tLearn More                \t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"\/><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-8 desktop:padding-left-5 position-relative\">\n<div class=\"hds-featured-videos-video-player\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Decade of Global Precipitation\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LtNrT3JQazo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"NASA\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How does NASA help?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NASA provides free, scientifically validated data and tools that help communities, farmers, states, tribes, federal agencies, and water managers make better-informed decisions\u00a0about drought. Some examples include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/gpm\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>GPM<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>mission tracks global precipitation. Its <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gpm.nasa.gov\/data\/imerg\">IMERG<\/a><\/strong> (Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM) product provides near-real-time estimates of Earth\u2019s precipitation, updated every half-hour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\"><strong>GMAO<\/strong> <\/a>(Global Modeling and Assimilation Office) develops and operates the<strong> <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov\/seasonal-decadal-analysis_prediction\/\"><strong>GEOS-S2S<\/strong> <\/a>(Goddard Earth Observing System Subseasonal-to-Seasonal) prediction system, which combines Earth observations with a coupled model to project temperature and precipitation patterns from weeks to several months ahead.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>With its advanced radar,\u00a0the\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/nisar\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>NISAR<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)\u00a0satellite\u00a0brings powerful new detail to NASA\u2019s view of soil moisture.\u00a0The\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/smap\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>SMAP<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>(Soil Moisture Active Passive) mission\u00a0provides\u00a0a complementary global view of surface soil moisture, while\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/grace-fo\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>GRACE-FO<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On)\u00a0tracks changes in total water storage, including groundwater.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Observations from <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/modis.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\">MODIS<\/a><\/strong> (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/viirsland.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\">VIIRS<\/a><\/strong> (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite), together with data from the <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hls.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\">HLS<\/a><\/strong> (Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2) project, can be used to map changes in snow cover, vegetation greenness, and the extent of surface water. Snow cover alone does not show how much water the snowpack contains. Scientists combine satellite observations with ground measurements and models to assess snow water equivalent, or the amount of water stored in the snowpack.<\/li>\n<li>Researchers are exploring observations from the <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/pace\/\">PACE<\/a><\/strong> (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to study snow grain size and light-absorbing particles that darken snow, both of which influence how much sunlight the snowpack absorbs and how quickly it melts.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/icesat-2.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\">ICESat-2<\/a><\/strong> (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) mission measures surface elevation, helping scientists track elevation changes in mountain glaciers and derive estimates of snow depth.<\/li>\n<li>The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/swot\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>SWOT<\/strong><\/a> mission\u00a0measures the height and extent of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, helping scientists estimate changes in how much water they hold. NASA\u2019s\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/go\/opera\/about-opera\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>OPERA<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(Observational Products for End-Users from Remote Sensing Analysis)\u00a0project maps the extent of surface water, providing frequent, detailed views of changing rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and floodwaters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Landsat<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0satellites, the\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/ecostress\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>ECOSTRESS<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(ECOsystem\u00a0Spaceborne\u00a0Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station)\u00a0mission,\u00a0and\u00a0the online\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/etdata.org\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>OpenET<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0tool\u00a0help estimate\u00a0<strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/#definitions\">evapotranspiration<\/a> <\/strong>(ET), or how much water crops and landscapes use, across the contiguous U.S. By providing up-to-date, field-level water-use data,\u00a0OpenET\u00a0helps farmers, water managers, and states track shortages, plan allocations, and respond more effectively during drought.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Landsat\u00a0also\u00a0supports the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,\u00a0a vegetation index that helps scientists spot drought stress by measuring how healthy plants appear from space.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA\u2019s\u00a0<strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/earth-action\/water-resources\/\">Water Resources<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0program\u00a0works on drought as one of its core focus areas. The program\u00a0supports tools and applications\u00a0that help water managers\u00a0and others\u00a0use Earth observations to\u00a0monitor\u00a0dry conditions, assess impacts, and make\u00a0improved\u00a0decisions about\u00a0scarce water resources.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>NASA\u2019s<strong> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/weather.ndc.nasa.gov\/sport\/splash\/land_information\/\">SPoRT<\/a><\/strong> (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition) center combines observations with land-surface modeling to make frequently updated maps that show soil moisture at different depths and how current conditions compare with the historical record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA works with the commercial space industry to expand the nation\u2019s view of drought. Through the <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/csda\/\">Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition<\/a><\/strong> program, the agency acquires detailed and frequently collected observations that complement NASA missions and can help researchers examine drought conditions at local scales.<\/li>\n<li>Through its <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/earth-action\/earthrise\/\"><strong>EarthRISE<\/strong><\/a> program, NASA works with state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, territories, and the private sector to integrate satellite information into real-world decisions, including about drought.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>GEOGloWS<\/strong>, short for\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.geoglows.org\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Group on Earth Observations Global Water Sustainability<\/strong><\/a>, is a free, open service providing global river-flow forecasts and historical context to help water managers prepare for drought and other extremes. NASA funded and contributed to its early development; the service has since matured into a widely used system sustained by a broader community of partners, users, and stakeholders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"resources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Missions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/nisar\/\"><strong>NISAR<\/strong><\/a><br \/>Launched in 2025, the NISAR mission \u2014 a partnership between NASA and ISRO \u2014 puts unprecedented radar\u00a0capability in orbit,\u202frevealing tiny changes in Earth&#8217;s surface.\u00a0With NISAR&#8217;s advanced radar, discovery comes in\u202fthe details. Its data could help pinpoint where areas dry out first,\u202fhow quickly they recover after rain, and how plants\u202fand irrigation change the map.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/swot\/\"><strong>SWOT<\/strong><\/a><br \/>The SWOT mission brings together two communities focused on a better understanding of the world&#8217;s oceans and its terrestrial surface waters. U.S. and French oceanographers and hydrologists and international partners have joined forces to develop this satellite mission to make the first global survey of Earth\u2019s surface water,\u00a0observe\u00a0the\u00a0fine details\u00a0of the ocean&#8217;s surface topography, and measure how water bodies change over time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/missions\/grace-fo-gravity-recovery-and-climate-experiment-follow-on\"><strong>GRACE \/ GRACE-FO<\/strong><br \/><\/a>The GRACE mission and its successor GRACE-FO\u00a0track\u00a0changes in groundwater and surface water by tracking slight variations in Earth\u2019s gravity field.\u00a0Developed through a long-running partnership between NASA and the German Aerospace Center, the missions have provided a unique view of how water storage changes across continents, ice sheets, and aquifers. This data is used by commercial insurers, agribusinesses, water utilities, agronomists, and others to assess drought risk, manage aquifers, and plan for long-term resource stability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/smap.jpl.nasa.gov\/\"><strong>SMAP<\/strong><br \/><\/a>The SMAP mission measures the amount of water in the surface soil everywhere on Earth. It also distinguishes between ground that is frozen or thawed. The mission helps provide critical information for early warnings of droughts and floods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\"><strong>Landsat<\/strong>\u00a0<br \/><\/a>A joint\u00a0NASA-U.S. Geological Survey\u00a0mission series, Landsat\u00a0has\u00a0provided\u00a0more than\u00a050 years of\u00a0observations of Earth\u2019s land surface. Its long record helps scientists and communities see how drought\u00a0affects vegetation, lakes, rivers, irrigated fields, and landscapes over time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gpm.nasa.gov\"><strong>GPM<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a><br \/>NASA\/JAXA\u2019s\u00a0GPM mission\u00a0uses satellites to\u00a0track rain and snow worldwide, giving a clearer picture of changing precipitation patterns. That makes\u00a0GPM\u00a0valuable for drought because it helps reveal rainfall deficits,\u00a0monitor\u00a0dry conditions, and improve forecasts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/modis.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\">MODIS<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nesdis.noaa.gov\/VIIRS\">VIIRS<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<br \/>These\u00a0instruments\u00a0track vegetation health, snow cover, and land-surface temperature,\u00a0helpful for understanding drought impacts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Instruments<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/nisar\/about-the-satellite\/\">Synthetic Aperture Radar<\/a>:<\/strong> An instrument that sends microwave signals toward Earth and measures the signals that return, producing detailed observations through clouds and darkness. NISAR uses synthetic aperture radar to observe soil moisture, vegetation, ice, and subtle changes in Earth\u2019s surface, supporting research on drought, ecosystems, and hazards such as earthquakes and landslides.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/swot.jpl.nasa.gov\/science\/overview\/?page=0&amp;per_page=40&amp;order=position+asc&amp;search=&amp;hover=false&amp;show_institution=true&amp;show_email=false&amp;category=214\">Ka-band Radar Interferometer<\/a>:<\/strong> An instrument that uses radar signals and two antennas to measure the elevation and extent of water. On SWOT, these measurements help scientists track changes in major lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands while detecting ocean features with unprecedented resolution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/smap.jpl.nasa.gov\/observatory\/overview\/\">Radiometer<\/a>:<\/strong> An instrument that detects the electromagnetic energy (mostly light and heat) emitted by objects and surfaces on Earth. On the SMAP mission, for example, a passive microwave radiometer measures naturally emitted microwave energy from the land surface to estimate moisture in the top layer of soil.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gracefo.jpl.nasa.gov\/mission\/spacecraft\/microwaves-and-lasers\/\">Accelerometer<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>An instrument that measures acceleration \u2014 how quickly an object\u2019s speed or direction changes. On GRACE-FO, accelerometers measure forces acting on the satellites other than gravity, such as atmospheric drag. Accounting for those forces helps scientists map changes in Earth\u2019s gravity field, revealing shifts in water, ice, and solid Earth mass.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gracefo.jpl.nasa.gov\/mission\/spacecraft\/microwaves-and-lasers\/\">Microwave Interferometer<\/a><\/strong>: A microwave interferometer measures tiny changes in the distance between the GRACE-FO satellites. Those changes reflect variations in Earth\u2019s gravity, allowing scientists to track changes in the distribution of water, ice, and other mass.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gpm.nasa.gov\/missions\/TRMM\/satellite\/PR\">Precipitation Radar<\/a>:<\/strong> An instrument that sends radar signals into clouds to measure the three-dimensional structure and intensity of rain and snow. GPM\u2019s dual-frequency precipitation radar helps scientists determine how much precipitation is falling and where.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/data\/instruments\/viirs\">Imaging Radiometer<\/a>:<\/strong> An instrument that measures energy reflected or emitted from Earth in multiple wavelength bands. Instruments such as MODIS and VIIRS help scientists map snow cover, vegetation health, surface water, and land-surface temperature.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<h3 id=\"definitions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Definitions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Aquifer:<\/strong>\u00a0A layer of rock or sediment that holds groundwater.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>El Ni\u00f1o:<\/strong>\u00a0Periodic Pacific warming that shifts rainfall, storms, and temperatures worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Evapotranspiration:<\/strong>\u00a0The process by which water moves from the land surface to the atmosphere via evaporation and plant transpiration.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>La Ni\u00f1a:<\/strong>\u00a0Periodic Pacific cooling that shifts rainfall, storms, and temperatures worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Remote Sensing:<\/strong>\u00a0Using instruments aboard\u00a0aircraft\u00a0or satellites to collect data about Earth\u2019s surface without being in direct contact.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Snowpack:<\/strong>\u00a0Snow that accumulates and remains on the ground, often in layers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil Moisture:<\/strong>\u00a0The amount of water held in the upper layers of soil.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/?rand=6382\" target=\"_blank\">Source link <\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA Knows: Drought Drought can begin quietly\u00a0or arrive in a flash.\u00a0It can begin with too little rain, too little snow, or a water supply that never fully recovers from past dry years.\u00a0NASA helps communities see where rain and snow are falling, where water is stored, how it is being used, and whether landscapes are recovering from drought or still running&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":99049,"featured_media":9893,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[1539,374,460],"ground_category":[137,313],"class_list":["post-9892","ground_post","type-ground_post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-drought","tag-nasa","tag-science","ground_category-1-grounds-science","ground_category-1-4-discover-saturn"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/the-west-faces-snow-drought\/uswest_snowdrought_tmo_20260115.jpg\/jcr:content\/renditions\/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ground_post\/9892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ground_post"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ground_post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99049"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ground_post\/9892\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9892"},{"taxonomy":"ground_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/godshand.link\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ground_category?post=9892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}