Targeted outreach tool provides information on water supplies and drought potential for a crucial watershed.

A new study, part of NOAA's Drought Task Force IV research, shows the leading cause of the rapid increase of wildfires over the western U.S. is the rapid increase of surface air vapor pressure deficit.

The video includes interviews with those whose livelihoods are impacted by the drought and discusses how rising temperatures are bringing aridification and a “new normal” to the region.

According to the report, the drought caused roughly $11.4–$23 billion in economic losses in 2020—including impacts from associated wildfires. Economic losses for 2021 will also be substantial, and the drought is expected to continue at least into next year.

For the past two decades, the southwestern United States has been desiccated by one of the most severe long-term droughts—or ‘megadroughts’—of the last 1,200 years. And now, scientists say the risk of similar extreme megadroughts and severe single-year droughts will increase in the future as Earth’s temperature continues to rise, according to a new study in Earth’s Future.