Can a drought be predicted

Droughts can be predicted up to a point.

Meteorologists can use current and past weather patterns and climate trends to determine whether or not these meteorological influences will result in reduced rain in a particular region. The El Nino weather pattern, for example, brings dry conditions to Australia which invariably result in drought in many areas of the country. El Nino is known to occur on average every 2-7 years, and oceanographers and meteorologists watching the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) can determine whether the region is entering an El Nino phase.