Summary
Almost the entire United States is experiencing drought conditions, with only Alaska and Kentucky unaffected, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Over the past four months, unusually high temperatures and infrequent rainfall have led to dry conditions across 87% of the country. New York City, facing its driest October since 1869, has issued a drought watch and is urging residents to conserve water.
Climate experts highlight that climate change is intensifying droughts, making them more frequent and severe, with La Niña potentially worsening conditions in the coming months.
While personal actions can help conserve water, larger-scale adaptations in infrastructure, agriculture, and water policy are more effective in addressing water scarcity.
So… where’s it all going? Water doesn’t just disappear.
There’s these large bodies of water called oceans. I believe it goes there (what with always going downhill and stuff).
More and more rain water runs off into streams, rivers and eventually the ocean because there isn’t enough foliage to slow the water till it is absorbed by the soil. The foliage is typically replaced by concrete and asphalt (urban) or fields (rural).
Also the increased average temperature of the planet is causing changes in weather patterns and reducing rainfall (in many areas) and increasing the variance of rainfall causing cycles of drought and flood.
Hang on to your hats folks, it’s gonna get worse before it gets better (if it will get better at all).
Other parts of the planet. One area that’s received a disproportionate amount of precipitation this year is the Sahara. In Morocco, “two days of rainfall in September exceeded yearly averages in several areas that see less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) annually.”
