Megadrought

A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that the persistent drought in the western United Statesis now the worst in at least 1200 years.

[W]e show that after exceptional drought severity in 2021, ~19% of which is attributable to anthropogenic climate trends, 2000–2021 was the driest 22-yr period since at least 800. This drought will very likely persist through 2022, matching the duration of the late-1500s megadrought.

Lead author Park Williams:

The results are really concerning, because it’s showing that the drought conditions we are facing now are substantially worse because of climate change. But that also there is quite a bit of room for drought conditions to get worse.