Articles | Volume 26, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4407-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4407-2026
Research article
 | 
14 Sep 2026
Research article |  | 14 Sep 2026

Short-term drought forecasting in Iran using multi-source machine learning: an assessment of autoregressive, teleconnection-driven, and hybrid paradigms

Jun Jian, Peyman Mahmoudi, Pouria Jafari, Alireza Ghaemi, Jing Yang, and Fatemeh Firoozi

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Cited articles

Achite, M., Elshaboury, N., Jehanzaib, M., Vishwakarma, D. K., Pham, Q. B., Anh, D. T., Abdelkader, E. M., and Elbeltagi, A.: Performance of machine learning techniques for meteorological drought forecasting in the Wadi Mina Basin, Algeria, Water, 15, 765, https://doi.org/10.3390/w15040765, 2023. 
Alawsi, M. A., Zubaidi, S. L., Al-Bdairi, N. S. S., Al-Ansari, N., and Hashim, K.: Drought forecasting: A review and assessment of the hybrid techniques and data pre-processing, Hydrology, 9, 115, https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9070115, 2022. 
Aldhafeeri, A. A., Ali, M., Khan, M., and Labban, A. H.: SPI-informed drought forecasts integrating advanced signal decomposition and machine learning models, Water, 17, 2747, https://doi.org/10.3390/w17182747, 2025. 
Alkan, A.: Drought forecasting using Palmer Drought Severity Index with wavelet transform technique and machine learning methods, Int. J. Res. Publ. Rev., 4, 2177–2185, https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.2023.4158, 2023. 
Ali, S., Khorrami, B., Jehanzaib, M., Tariq, A., Ajmal, M., Arshad, A., Shafeeque, M., Dilawar, A., Basit, I., Zhang, L., Sadri, S., Niaz, M. A., Jamil, A., and Khan, S. N.: Spatial downscaling of GRACE data based on XGBoost model for improved understanding of hydrological droughts in the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS), Remote Sens., 15, 873, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15040873, 2023. 
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Short summary
To improve drought early warnings, we tested if past drought patterns, global climate signals, or their combination best predict future droughts across Iran. Using thirty years of rainfall data and nine computer models, we found no single approach works everywhere. Combined methods excel in dry areas, while single methods suit coasts. This proves we must abandon uniform tools and build customized, location-specific forecasting systems to better protect communities from climate hazards.
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