The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report reveals a patchwork of drought improvements and setbacks across the country, shaped by uneven precipitation and colder-than-normal temperatures during early December. 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.
In the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, heavy rain and mountain snow brought relief to parts of Washington, northwest Oregon, western Montana and eastern Idaho. Snowpack in these areas reached or exceeded normal levels, improving soil moisture and streamflows. However, central and southern Oregon, central Idaho, and southwestern Montana missed the heaviest precipitation, causing drought to expand as snowpack remained well below normal.
The Southwest saw continued improvement in southeastern California and western Arizona, where moisture from earlier storms is still benefiting the hydrologic system. Conversely, east-central Nevada experienced worsening drought conditions due to very low snowpack and long-term precipitation deficits.
The central and southern Plains largely remained unchanged, with no meaningful precipitation. Southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma saw worsening short-term dryness, while parts of Texas and the Panhandle improved following recent rainfall. Northeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Texas experienced isolated drought expansion due to ongoing dryness.
Along the Gulf Coast and Southeast, 1 to 3 inches of rain fell across southern Alabama, southern Georgia, the Florida Panhandle, and coastal Carolinas, leading to widespread drought improvement and the removal of exceptional drought designations. Yet, southern Florida continues to face expanding abnormal dryness and moderate drought amid below-average rainfall and above-normal temperatures.
The Midwest and Northeast faced limited drought relief as most precipitation fell as snow or ice, offering little benefit to soils and streams. Severe drought expanded in northwestern New Jersey, while parts of Pennsylvania and New York saw worsening dryness. Cold temperatures and frozen ground limited improvements elsewhere.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service forecasts heavy precipitation for the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, with moderate rain expected across the northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and parts of the South and Southeast. Meanwhile, drier conditions are likely in the Interior West, central Plains, and much of the Southeast.
