2012 drought in North America

2012 drought in North America
Name	2012 drought in North America
Duration	2012
Areas	United States; Canada; Mexico

2012 drought in North America The 2012 drought in North America was an extensive meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological drought that affected much of the United States, parts of Canada, and northern Mexico during 2012, producing widespread crop failures, water shortages, and economic losses. It intersected with ongoing climatic patterns such as the La Niña–ENSO cycle, modulated by longer-term trends associated with climate change, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and prompted responses from federal agencies, state governments, and international organizations.

Background and climatic causes

A persistent ridge of high pressure over the western North America linked to a strong positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation and a neutral-to-cold phase of ENSO helped sustain record warmth and precipitation deficits, with teleconnections to the North Atlantic Oscillation and interactions with the Pacific North American pattern contributing to blocked storm tracks. Anthropogenic forcing attributed to increased greenhouse gases, as characterized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, likely increased the probability of extreme heat, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration documented anomalous sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Pacific Ocean. Episodic contributions from land-use patterns, including irrigation withdrawals regulated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and state water agencies, and from snowpack deficits in the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada, exacerbated surface dryness.

Extent and timeline

The drought expanded rapidly after spring 2012, peaking in late summer and early autumn with approximately two-thirds of the continental United States experiencing moderate to exceptional drought conditions as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor and the United States Department of Agriculture. Major impacts concentrated in the Corn Belt—notably Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota—and extended westward into the Great Plains, the Midwest, and parts of the Southeastern United States, while Alberta, Saskatchewan, and portions of Manitoba experienced drought in Canada and northern Chihuahua and Coahuila saw dryness in Mexico. Key dates include an early-summer acceleration in June, a July–August intensification correlated with heat waves documented by the National Weather Service, and a late-2012 contraction with localized recovery influenced by atmospheric river events tracked by the Jet Stream.

Impacts on agriculture and economy

Crop losses were severe across staple commodities; yields for corn, soybean, and wheat suffered in major producing states such as Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska, prompting emergency declarations by the United States Department of Agriculture and federal disaster assistance coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Commodity markets reacted with price spikes on the Chicago Board of Trade, affecting global supply chains linked to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme. Livestock sectors in Texas and the Great Plains faced reduced forage, driving herd liquidations and heightened input costs for dairy and beef producers, with fiscal impacts reported by the Congressional Budget Office and state departments of agriculture. Insurance claims surged through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation administered by the Risk Management Agency, and economic analyses by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Federal Reserve banks quantified billions in losses to agriculture and related manufacturing and transportation sectors.

Environmental and hydrological effects

Hydrologic stress manifested as reduced streamflow in major river basins including the Missouri River, the Mississippi River, and the Colorado River, with reservoir levels at facilities managed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and the Tennessee Valley Authority falling below historical norms. Wetland drying affected habitats under the purview of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provincial agencies in Canada, stressing populations of migratory species monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Wildfire risk rose, fueling large incidents fought by the U.S. Forest Service, state forestry agencies, and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, with smoke transport episodes tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency and public health agencies. Soil moisture deficits altered carbon fluxes observed by networks such as the National Ecological Observatory Network, with implications for regional carbon budgets and feedbacks to atmospheric circulation.

Human and social consequences

Humanitarian and social impacts included municipal water restrictions implemented by city authorities in urban areas like Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix, and rural impacts such as well failures and reduced irrigation allocations overseen by state water boards and water districts. Heat waves associated with the drought elevated morbidity and mortality recorded by local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations served by organizations including the American Red Cross. Rural communities experienced fiscal stress as property tax revenues linked to agriculture declined, prompting legislative attention in state capitols and hearings before congressional committees such as the United States House Committee on Agriculture. Media coverage by outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal highlighted food price impacts and regional social responses.

Response and mitigation efforts

Responses combined short-term emergency aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, disaster loan programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration, and insurance payouts via the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. Long-term mitigation efforts emphasized water management reforms in institutions such as the Bureau of Reclamation, investments in irrigation efficiency promoted by universities including Iowa State University and University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and climate adaptation planning guided by the National Climate Assessment and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and academic centers informed improvements in drought early warning systems like the U.S. Drought Monitor and initiatives coordinated with provincial agencies in Canada and federal counterparts in Mexico.

Category:Droughts in the United States