Can AI Help Predict and Manage Drought? UC Merced Researchers Explain in New Book

Can AI Help Predict and Manage Drought? UC Merced Researchers Explain in New Book

https://news.ucmerced.edu/news/2026/can-ai-help-predict-and-manage-drought-uc-merced-researchers-explain-new-book

Publish Date: 2026-05-26 14:22:00

Source Domain: news.ucmerced.edu

  • California experiences abnormal drying conditions after sufficient water years, prompting research into drought management.
  • A UC Merced team contributed to the book “Global Drought and Sustainability,” examining AI’s role in drought modeling.
  • The book, published by Elsevier, includes global research on drought’s connection to climate change and provides science-based solutions.
  • Artificial intelligence and advanced drought forecasting are emerging as important tools for adapting to climate change’s effects.
  • AI aids in combining satellite and climate data to provide more reliable drought information, aimed at enhancing human expertise.
  • Shifts between heavy storms and severe drought influence public health, economy, agriculture, and water supplies.
  • Recent severe snowmelt in California highlights the difficulty in drought forecasting without robust monitoring, although AI offers a scalable solution.
  • Advances in modeling, data science, and sensors optimize agricultural practices and early drought detection.