FURI | Fall 2023

Drought Prediction Using Machine Learning

This research focuses on the usage of Random Forests, a machine learning approach, to predict droughts to help communities with water resource management. Leveraging meteorological data from the U.S. Drought Monitor — an authoritative drought assessment crafted by experts from diverse sources — and Landsat remotely sensed imagery, this study explores the feasibility of meteorological data to predict drought occurrences. This study aims to enhance data-driven decision-making and ameliorate the widespread impacts of water scarcity, not only within the United States but also with implications for global applicability.