Africa: Forecast includes exceptional water surpluses in East Africa, deficits in coastal West Africa, southern Africa

The dominant water security issues of interest in Africa continue to be drought in Coastal West Africa and Southern Africa, and water surpluses in East Africa. Coastal West Africa may continue to experience deficits through May 2016, which may reach inland areas. Drought conditions in Southern Africa are forecast to moderate through November, though severe to exceptional deficits are possible December through May. Exceptional surpluses are expected in East Africa through May.

Middle East: Extreme to exceptional water deficits may dominate the region

Extreme to exceptional water deficits may dominate the region, including the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, southern Iraq, and central Iran. Pockets of Turkey, Syria, and northern Iran are forecast to experience water surpluses September through November. Surplus conditions in Turkey are expected to transition to deficit beginning in February and increasing in extent and severity through May.

South America: Exceptional water deficits forecast for northern Brazil, surpluses in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina

Exceptional water deficits may continue across much of northern Brazil and coastal Peru and Chile through May 2016. Surpluses are forecast for central Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, and are expected to increase in extent and severity through May with widespread exceptional surpluses anticipated. Northern South America may transition from deficit to surplus March through May.

Mexico & Central America: Exceptional water deficits forecast for southern Mexico, Central America

Widespread exceptional water deficits are forecast for southern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, northwest Costa Rica, and western Panama. Surpluses may continue to emerge in Mexico’s northwestern state of Chihuahua.