Spatially compounding droughts over multiple regions pose amplifying pressures on the
global food system, the reinsurance industry, and the global economy. Using observations
and climate model simulations, we analyze the influence of various natural Ocean variability
modes on the likelihood, extent, and severity of compound droughts across ten regions that
have similar precipitation seasonality and cover important breadbaskets and vulnerable
populations. Although a majority of compound droughts are associated with El Niños, a …