Drought conditions show localized improvements in the West and Southeast but persist or worsen in parts of the South, Midwest and Northeast amid uneven precipitation according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. 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.
This week’s drought summary reveals a patchwork of changes across the United States, shaped by variable precipitation and temperature patterns. While parts of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies saw improvements due to multiple Pacific storm systems, many areas in the South, Midwest and Northeast continue to face worsening dryness and drought.
In the West, widespread rainfall and mountain snow helped ease drought conditions along the coast and interior of Washington and northern Oregon. Northern Idaho and northwestern Montana also saw gains, though snowpack remains below normal in many areas. Central and southern Oregon, northern California, and parts of Utah experienced drying, with some areas seeing expanded drought classifications.
The Southeast experienced mixed results. Rainfall from prior weeks supported localized improvements in Alabama and Georgia, but dryness expanded in northern Virginia, the Carolinas, and parts of Florida’s central peninsula. Severe drought conditions worsened in northern Virginia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic.
The South saw drought intensify in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, with severe and extreme drought expanding in south-central Texas. Louisiana and Mississippi had some relief from precipitation but still face ongoing moisture deficits.
In the Midwest, uneven precipitation led to localized improvements in Iowa and Ohio, while dryness expanded in southwestern Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. Streamflows remain low, and longer-term deficits persist.
The Northeast continued to dry, with severe drought expanding in parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Soil moisture and streamflows remain critically low in many areas.
Alaska remains cold and dry, with new abnormally dry conditions introduced in south-central regions. Hawaii saw rainfall improve conditions on Kauai and Oahu, but dryness persists on Maui, Kahoolawe, and the Big Island.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service forecasts heavier precipitation along the West Coast and northern Rockies, with lighter, scattered precipitation across much of the central and eastern U.S. Temperatures are expected to be above normal in much of the central and southern U.S., while below normal temperatures are likely in parts of the Northeast and Alaska.
