Droughts in a warming climate: projected changes, sectoral impacts, and adaptation challenges

Abstract Droughts can disrupt agriculture, water resources, energy production, and the overall economy. Climate and weather patterns are changing the way droughts develop, influencing their occurrence, duration, intensity, andgeographic distribution. These shifts complicate drought monitoring, reduce forecasting accuracy, and pose growing challenges for effective droughtmanagement. This review summarizes current knowledge about drought processes and their impacts under both current and future climate conditions. It examines how climate change affects precipitation, temperature, and evaporation, and identifies the key factors that drive drought development. The review also discusses projected changes in meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological droughts, with attention to regional vulnerabilities and future risks. In addition, it highlights the impacts of drought on sectors such as water supply, agriculture, sanitation, ecosystems, and energy production. Major challenges in drought assessment are discussed, including limited data, the choice of appropriate drought indices, and uncertainties in representing hydrological processes. Possible adaptation strategies to reduce future drought risks are also outlined. By bringing together current knowledge on drought in a warming climate, this review provides useful insights for researchers and policymakers seeking to improve drought preparedness and resilience.