Investigation of the spatial distribution of meteorological drought

A drought occurs when water availability reduces temporarily for example because of insufficient rainfall (Makropoulos, 2015). That complicated phenomenon not only occurs in areas with dry - desert climate, but also in areas with significant rainfall amounts, mainly due to the connection of drought with more than one type of environmental conditions (Karabourniotis, 2014; Vicente-Serrano, 2006). Each drought episode is different from the rest thanks to three key features that it has: intensity, duration and its spatial distribution (Nalbantis (a), 2012; Paparas, 2011; Skarantonakis, 2010). Drought indicators are tools that identify the characteristics of drought (Nalbantis (a), 2012). So they help identify and record the intensity and extent of drought episodes. Additional, from the study of indicators, they may indicate the possibility of reoccurrence of drought events (Paparas, 2011; Skarantonakis, 2010). There are many types of indicators, but some indicators compared to others have better results for specific situations or areas. Most of the water managers, before taking a decision consult one or more indicators (Karabourniotis, 2012; Paparas, 2011; Skarantonakis, 2010). In this study the index chosen was Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI).