The term IN NEED OF RAIN can be summarized by two crossword solutions: ARID (4 letters) and DRY (3 letters). ARID is an adjective meaning 'extremely DRY, especially of land or climates having insufficient rainfall to support vegetation'. DRY is an adjective meaning 'lacking in natural or normal moisture; not moist, wet, or humid'. Both words describe a lack of rain, which is what the term IN NEED OF RAIN implies.