Drought is a slow-onset natural hazard that is often referred to as a creeping phenomenon. The challenge of monitoring drought s onset and evolution, and identifying its termination or end is one that scientists, natural resource managers, and decision makers have been struggling with for decades. However, drought management must be aimed at reducing the risks of future drought events on economies, the environment, and the social fabric of regions.

As with many countries, droughts are often managed as a crisis in Brazil, rather than events for which officials and communities...