The term for a long, unusual period without significant rainfall.

Some parts of the world, particularly between latitudes 10 and 35 degrees, have a more variable rainfall pattern than others and so they can be said to be more drought-prone. These places include the Sahel region of Africa just south of the Sahara desert, southern Africa, North east Brazil, Australia, Southern California and the South West, and India. The Dust Bowl covers an area of about 400,000 square kilometres.