Dry weather promised rough time with early and late crops (7)
I believe the answer is:
drought
'dry weather' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'promised rough time with early and late crops' is the wordplay.
'DROUGHT' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm uncertain how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for drought that I've seen before include "Lack of rainfall" , "Lack of rain" , "Long water shortage" , "Prolonged shortage of rain" , "Long dry spell" .)