Intense dry spell in US West is worst megadrought in 1200 years | In Pics

The American West’s megadrought deepened so much last year that it is now the driest in at least 1,200 years and is a worst-case climate change scenario playing out live, a new study finds.

The study calculated that 42% of this megadrought can be attributed to human-caused climate change.

All of California was considered in official drought from mid-May until the end of 2021, and at least three-quarters of the state was at the highest two drought levels from June through Christmas, according to the U.S. drought monitor.

The drought monitor says 55% of the U.S. West is in drought with 13% experiencing the two highest drought levels.

This megadrought really kicked off in 2002 — one of the driest years ever, based on humidity and tree rings.

The drought levels in 2002 and 2021 were a statistical tie, though still behind 1580 for the worst single year.