dryseason

Dry season refers to a period of the year during which rainfall is markedly lower than in the wet season. It is a feature of many tropical and subtropical climates that exhibit distinct wet and dry periods, including tropical savannas (often classified as Aw under the Köppen climate system) and monsoon regions, as well as some semi-arid areas. The length and timing of the dry season vary by location, ranging from a single dry month to several consecutive months. In tropical regions, dryness is often driven by the seasonal movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, the strengthening of subtropical high pressure, and shifts in moisture-bearing winds; in monsoon areas, the dry season corresponds to the period when the monsoon rains retreat.

Measurement and definition of dryness can differ: some definitions specify a driest month or a prolonged deficit of rainfall relative to annual norms, while others use indices such as precipitation thresholds or potential evapotranspiration deficits.

Impacts of the dry season include stress on agriculture and water resources, higher fire risk, and effects on ecosystems. Plants and animals adapt through strategies such as deciduous leaf shedding, seed banks, deep-root systems, or seasonal migrations. Societies in dry regions often adjust agricultural calendars, grazing practices, and water storage to the expected dry period.

Climate variability and change influence dry seasons: phenomena such as El Niño or regional climate oscillations can intensify or shorten dry spells, and long-term climate change can alter their frequency and severity in some regions.