Drought Status Analysis

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recommended the use of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for drought monitoring and condition as the main meteorological drought indicator. The 12-month SPI can be linked to streamflows, reservoir levels and groundwater levels. The 2019 drought condition is as follows:

The figure shows the SPI values ​​over Saudi Arabia indicating light to moderate humid conditions over most parts of Saudi Arabia. Some areas in the north are experiencing very humid conditions.

The time series of the average SPI over the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shows decadal variability with mostly dry conditions in the past two decades, while there were wet conditions in 2019. The 12-month SPI does not represent meteorological drought but is more closely related to hydrological drought.