[PapaBear3625]

Over the next several decades, the Western United States and the semi-arid region from North Dakota to Texas will develop semi-permanent drought, with rain, when it does come, occurring in extreme events with heavy flooding.

Warm periods generally mean MORE rain, due to increased oceanic evaporation. Cooling would mean less rain. If the sun spot cycle has as much influence as some think, we are heading into a cooler period.

[palmer]

I agree with you both. The short term prospect is cooling due to a solar cycle. There is a lag due to ocean warmth, but the next few decades could see a downturn. The long term prospect is that the return to the ice age is overdue. The timing on that is very uncertain, could be hundreds or thousands of years. You are also correct that cool=dry

But the reason we are currently in a long term ice age (despite the temporary lull) is CO2 starvation. It is a strong hypothesis that geology (mainly the weathering of the newly formed Himalayas and Alps) helped cause the evolution of C3 grasses which are very efficient at absorbing CO2 in low concentrations. It basically dooms our planet to an icy state regardless of solar factors.