This week’s drought summary reveals a mixed picture across the United States, with heavy precipitation bringing relief to parts of the Pacific Northwest and Northeast, while much of the South, Midwest and Great Plains experience worsening dryness and drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Pacific Northwest and West
Northern California, western Oregon, western Washington, northern Idaho, and northwest Montana received moderate to heavy rainfall, with some areas recording over 3 inches. This precipitation improved streamflow and lessened drought severity across much of Idaho, western Montana, and northwest Oregon, where severe drought was removed. However, north-central Montana saw drought conditions worsen due to dry weather and low streamflow.
Northeast
More than an inch of rain fell across much of New York and northern New England, easing short-term precipitation deficits and improving drought and abnormal dryness. Central and southern West Virginia also saw drought severity lessen following recent rainfall. However, northwestern Maine experienced expanding severe drought due to lighter precipitation.
Southeast
The Southeast remained mostly dry and warmer than normal, with temperatures 2 to 6 degrees above average in many areas. Southern Georgia, the Florida Panhandle, and parts of Virginia saw expanding moderate to extreme drought due to worsening soil moisture and streamflow deficits. Moderate drought improved in southwest Virginia after recent rainfall.
South and Great Plains
Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana faced widespread drought degradation amid dry and warm conditions, with temperatures in some Texas areas exceeding 10 degrees above normal. Southern Oklahoma reported significant short-term drought impacts, including declining soil moisture and struggling vegetation. Streamflow levels dropped in central and southern Texas, while parts of Louisiana also saw worsening drought.
Midwest
Precipitation varied, with lake-effect snow improving conditions in northern Indiana and northeast Illinois. Ohio and Kentucky received moderate rainfall, aiding drought relief. However, severe and extreme drought expanded in east-central Illinois, and moderate drought grew in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, and southeast Missouri due to short-term precipitation deficits and declining soil moisture.
High plains
Mostly dry weather prevailed, with some light precipitation in parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. Abnormal dryness and moderate drought expanded in eastern Nebraska, western Nebraska, southeast Wyoming, and Colorado, driven by short- and long-term precipitation deficits.
Caribbean and Pacific Islands
Puerto Rico experienced below-normal rainfall with ongoing abnormal dryness in the southeast. The U.S. Virgin Islands remained drought-free. Hawaii saw localized improvements from recent rain but continued severe drought in parts of the Big Island. Other Pacific islands remained mostly drought-free, though Kapingamarangi faced short-term severe drought.
Outlook
The National Weather Service forecasts heavy precipitation from November 12-17 across parts of the western U.S., including California, northwest Washington, and the Sierra Nevada. From November 18-22, above-normal precipitation is favored across much of the contiguous U.S., especially from the Southwest to the Lower Ohio River Valley. Temperatures are expected to be colder than normal west of the Continental Divide and warmer than normal to the east, with above-normal precipitation and temperatures likely in Hawaii and Alaska.
These varied conditions underscore the ongoing challenges in managing water resources and agricultural productivity across the country as seasonal weather patterns shift.
