What term describes a prolonged period of low precipitation?

The term that describes a prolonged period of low precipitation is "drought." Droughts occur when there is a significant deficiency of precipitation over an extended period, which can have severe consequences for agriculture, water supply, and the overall ecosystem. This situation can lead to crop failures, water shortages, and increased risks of wildfires, making the understanding of drought critical in discussions about environmental science and resource management.

While "dry spell" is related and may refer to a temporary lack of rain, it does not capture the prolonged nature and severity associated with droughts. "Famine" relates to extreme scarcity of food and is often a consequence of drought but is not synonymous with it. "Flood," on the other hand, is the opposite phenomenon, occurring when there is an excess of precipitation.