Spatiotemporal variability of agricultural drought and its association with climatic variables in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract Drought is a serious threat to agriculture in Ethiopia. This study examined the spatiotemporal variability of agricultural drought and its association with climatic variables Upper Awash basin. Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test was employed examine while Sen’s slop estimator pixel-based linear regression model were used analyze magnitude changes. The between evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient (r). High observed Kiremit (June–September) Belg (February–May) seasons. season spatial average vegetation condition index (VCI) trends decreased insignificantly from 2001 2019 at 5% significant level, whereas VCI increased insignificantly. return period severe droughts during less frequent than Kiremt drought. precipitation positive for s. Likewise, land surface temperature (LST) negative season. Moreover, mean Pacific Ocean Sea Surface Temperature (SST) influencing factor LST on higher findings this are vital decision-making systems preparing plans adjust sowing time, select drought-resistant crops, practice situ water conservation, small-scale irrigation diversify income smallholder farmers.