NASA Scientists Have Frightening Answers About Future Megadrought in Reddit AMA

Several NASA scientists hosted a virtual interview Thursday on Reddit, and some of their comments on the possibility of a megadrought might leave you slightly concerned.

The AMA – an abbreviation for "Ask Me Anything" – was hosted by four scientists who work for NASA. Their areas of expertise range from climate science to hydrology, but they all have an important role in communicating a crucial message: the chance of a megadrought is growing in the United States, and we should be prepared to deal with crippling conditions by the end of the century.

(MORE: Megadroughts Wills Become the New Norm, NASA Says)

The AMA came on the heels a recently released climate model that revealed an 80 percent chance of a decades-long drought for the Plains and Southwest by the end of the 21st century, assuming greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at their current pace. If leaders can find a way to level out emissions by 2050, the long-term models show a 60 percent chance of a megadrought in the same areas.

Here are some of the most compelling responses from the NASA scientists who took part in the AMA. You may be surprised by how blunt some of their statements were.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: California's Long-Term Drought