Study: heat, not lack of precipitation, is driving western U.S. droughts

During the 2020-2022 drought, evaporation accounted for 61 percent of the drought’s severity, while reduced precipitation only accounted for only 39 percent. 

​Read More During the 2020-2022 drought, evaporation accounted for 61 percent of the drought’s severity, while reduced precipitation only accounted for only 39 percent.