The information presented here highlights the findings of a drought history study in support of the Governor's Drought Task Force activities, such as determining triggers for drought mitigation and response actions, based on observed hydroclimatic and other information. The material is intended to provide the relevant climatology background for non-specialists, and it is presented in a top ten or frequently asked question format. The questions and answers cover the major climate-related aspects of drought including long-term averages, seasonality, interannual and long-term spatial and temporal drought variations, extremes, and causes of climatic variability. The answers to each question include bulleted Quick Answers followed by a concise explanation of more detailed information. Example figures are presented within the text.

This ōban triptych depicts Minamoto Yoshitsune 源 義經 (center left) and his retainers after their victory over the troops of Minamoto no Yoshinaka at the battle of Hōjūjidono in 1184. The warrior monk Musashibō Benkei 武藏坊 辨慶 sits to the right of Yoshitsune. In the lower-right corner lie the decapitated heads of Nenoi Ōyata 根井 大弥太 and Gonrokurō 権六郎.