The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) account for more than half (52%) of the spatial and temporal variability in multidecadal drought frequency across the contiguous United States. An additional 22% of the variance is linked to complex spatial patterns of drought trends, possibly related to increasing Northern Hemisphere temperatures. Recent droughts, such as those in 1996 and 1999–2002, were associated with North Atlantic warming (positive AMO) and northeastern and tropical Pacific cooling (negative PDO). The long-term predictability of drought frequency may be influenced by the multidecadal behavior of the North Atlantic Ocean. If the current positive AMO conditions persist, two drought scenarios are possible: one resembling the 1930s (positive PDO) and another resembling the 1950s (negative PDO). Long-term climate forecasts based on quasiperiodic variations in sea surface temperatures (SSTs), salinities, and ocean topographies may help water managers plan for persistent drought. The 1996 and 1999–2003 droughts, reminiscent of the 1930s and 1950s, highlight the need for such planning. Analysis of U.S. precipitation has focused on the Pacific Ocean, but long-term predictability in North American climate may actually reside in North Atlantic SST variations. Modeling studies indicate that North Atlantic climate variability is dominated by a single mode of SST variability, resembling the AMO. Warm phases occurred in 1860–1880 and 1930–1960, while cold phases occurred in 1905–1925 and 1970–1990. Since 1995, the AMO has been positive, but its persistence is uncertain. Recent analysis shows the AMO strongly influences summer rainfall over the U.S. and may modulate the strength of the teleconnection between ENSO and winter precipitation. Positive AMO conditions since 1995 and the cold PDO episode from 1998–2002 have raised concerns about an emerging megadrought. The study decomposes drought frequency into its primary modes of variability, relating them to the PDO and AMO. The third component (PC3) is highly correlated with a trend line and inverse NH temperature, suggesting a regional pattern of changes in the hydrologic cycle related to NH temperature increases. The study concludes that the PDO and AMO account for 52% of the variance in drought frequency, with the third component explaining a complex pattern of drought trends. The persistence of the current positive AMO state may lead to continued above-normal drought frequencies in the U.S., modulated by the PDO's sign. This research highlights the importance of considering theseThe Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) account for more than half (52%) of the spatial and temporal variability in multidecadal drought frequency across the contiguous United States. An additional 22% of the variance is linked to complex spatial patterns of drought trends, possibly related to increasing Northern Hemisphere temperatures. Recent droughts, such as those in 1996 and 1999–2002, were associated with North Atlantic warming (positive AMO) and northeastern and tropical Pacific cooling (negative PDO). The long-term predictability of drought frequency may be influenced by the multidecadal behavior of the North Atlantic Ocean. If the current positive AMO conditions persist, two drought scenarios are possible: one resembling the 1930s (positive PDO) and another resembling the 1950s (negative PDO). Long-term climate forecasts based on quasiperiodic variations in sea surface temperatures (SSTs), salinities, and ocean topographies may help water managers plan for persistent drought. The 1996 and 1999–2003 droughts, reminiscent of the 1930s and 1950s, highlight the need for such planning. Analysis of U.S. precipitation has focused on the Pacific Ocean, but long-term predictability in North American climate may actually reside in North Atlantic SST variations. Modeling studies indicate that North Atlantic climate variability is dominated by a single mode of SST variability, resembling the AMO. Warm phases occurred in 1860–1880 and 1930–1960, while cold phases occurred in 1905–1925 and 1970–1990. Since 1995, the AMO has been positive, but its persistence is uncertain. Recent analysis shows the AMO strongly influences summer rainfall over the U.S. and may modulate the strength of the teleconnection between ENSO and winter precipitation. Positive AMO conditions since 1995 and the cold PDO episode from 1998–2002 have raised concerns about an emerging megadrought. The study decomposes drought frequency into its primary modes of variability, relating them to the PDO and AMO. The third component (PC3) is highly correlated with a trend line and inverse NH temperature, suggesting a regional pattern of changes in the hydrologic cycle related to NH temperature increases. The study concludes that the PDO and AMO account for 52% of the variance in drought frequency, with the third component explaining a complex pattern of drought trends. The persistence of the current positive AMO state may lead to continued above-normal drought frequencies in the U.S., modulated by the PDO's sign. This research highlights the importance of considering these