Drought impact on temperature (IMAGE) Johns Hopkins University Caption The major drought that happened in 2021 at the same time as a record-breaking heat wave cause the heat to rise by as much as four degrees in parts of the southwest U.S. Credit Johns Hopkins University Usage Restrictions None. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.