Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KNAG 90.3 FM Grand Canyon is temporarily off air due to suspected antenna damage. We are working with contractors to identify and fix the problem.

Arizona Public Radio continues to integrate new audio software while addressing remaining glitches. We appreciate your patience and support and will update when all issues are fully resolved.

Warming Makes US West Megadrought Worst In Modern Age

A. Park Williams/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory via AP

A new study finds that much of the western United States is baking in what scientists call an emerging megadrought.

Thursday's study in the journal Science blames almost half the problem on man-made global warming, which scientists say is only getting worse. Multi-decade deep droughts happen every couple of hundred years. But the current one is one of the most severe since the year 800. Some scientists say this drought, which started in 2000, may not have lasted long enough yet to qualify as a megadrought.

Related Content