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News Release 16-127
Soil moisture, snowpack data could help predict 'flash droughts'
Severe 2012 drought could have been forecast months in advance, research shows
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![Flash droughts, like the one in the U.S. Southern Rockies and Midwest in 2012, can be predicted.](/news/mmg/media/images/drought noaa_f_78d6f2fe-3cab-411d-af10-ead9a3fe70b5.jpg)
Flash droughts, like the one in the U.S. Southern Rockies and Midwest in 2012, can be predicted.
Credit: NOAA
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![The 2012 flash drought hit Iowa farmlands hard, turning their once-green crops sere and brown.](/news/mmg/media/images/Iowa_County_Drought_July_2012_NOAA_f.jpg)
The 2012 flash drought hit Iowa farmlands hard, turning their once-green crops sere and brown.
Credit: NOAA
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![Corn was among the crops affected by the 2012 flash drought.](/news/mmg/media/images/farmer corn drought 2012 USDA_f.jpg)
Corn was among the crops affected by the 2012 flash drought.
Credit: USDA
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![With earlier drought warnings, farmers, water planners and others would have more time to prepare.](/news/mmg/media/images/usda_corn_f_de798888-a2e0-4df3-9c05-0fa37f6e7e02.jpg)
With earlier drought warnings, farmers, water planners and others would have more time to prepare.
Credit: USDA
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![Scientists are using measures of soil moisture as a way of predicting flash droughts to come.](/news/mmg/media/images/soil USDA_f.jpg)
Scientists are using measures of soil moisture as a way of predicting flash droughts to come.
Credit: USDA
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![How deep is the snowpack? The answer may indicate whether a flash drought is on the horizon.](/news/mmg/media/images/UCAR measuring snowpack_f.jpg)
How deep is the snowpack? The answer may indicate whether a flash drought is on the horizon.
Credit: UCAR
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