In December 2018, droughts of long duration got worse.

Graph of Rainfall Shortages

This graph shows all the present rainfall shortages at Manilla, short term and long term, as percentile values. The latest values, as at the end of December, are shown by a black line with black circles. Those from one month earlier, at the end of November, are shown by a thinner line with smaller white circles.

Changes this month

Short-term shortages

Although December rainfall (34.5 mm) was below normal, it was enough to keep the totals for 2, 3, 4, and 5 months above the level of “serious shortage”. Because the 6-month total rose to 186 mm, it too did not count as a serious shortage.

Extreme shortages

There were extreme shortages (1st percentile) at durations of 9 months (210 mm), 12 months (327 mm), 18 months (536 mm) and 7 years (3891 mm). The 18-month shortage was the most extreme, being the fifth lowest in history, after four lower values in 1966 (the lowest: 514 mm). The extreme 7-year shortage that has now appeared is lower than any since 1942.

Worsening long-term shortages

This drought brings worsening long-term rainfall shortages. Among the 14 selected durations longer than 2 years that are shown here, 10 of them are now serious shortages (10th percentile) or worse.
As well as the extreme 7-year shortage, two serious shortages that appeared in November are now worse: the 10 year total fell from 5964 mm to 5944 mm, and the 20-year total fell from 12209 mm to 12200 mm. The 10-year shortfall amounts to nearly one year of rain.
Such long-term rainfall shortages were common early in the 20th century. They have hardly occurred since the Keepit Dam was built in 1960.

Further Explanation

Much more detail was given in the post: “Contours of Manilla’s 2018 Drought” (with data up to October only). Notes include: “Long-term shortages”, “Classes of rainfall shortage”, and “Manilla rainfall records”.