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National Current Conditions

January 14, 2026 - January 20, 2026

Dry weather led to worsening drought this week, especially in parts of the Northwest, Rockies, Plains, Lower Midwest, and South/Southeast. The incoming winter storm will likely paint a different picture next week. As of January 20, 2026, 36.89% of the United States and Puerto Rico and 44.01% of the Lower 48 states are in drought.

36.89%

of the U.S. and 44.01% of the lower 48 states are in drought this week.

Increase of
3.4%
since last week
Increase of
6.2%
since last month
203.8 Million

acres of major crops in U.S. are experiencing drought conditions this week.

Increase of
4.7%
since last week
Increase of
8.2%
since last month
141.3 Million

people in the U.S. and 140.9 Million in the lower 48 states are affected by drought this week.

Increase of
2.9%
since last week
Increase of
25.5%
since last month
47

U.S. states are experiencing Moderate Drought (D1) or worse this week.

Increase of
1 state
since last week
Increase of
3 states
since last month

U.S. Drought Monitor

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought Change Since Last Week
Drought Degradation
Drought Improvement

Precipitation Conditions

Inches of Precipitation
Precipitation Shown as a Percentage of Normal Conditions
100%
Precipitation Shown as a Percentage of Normal Conditions
100%

Temperature Conditions

Maximum Temperature (°F)
60
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
0
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
0

Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI)

Drought Conditions
Wet Conditions
Drought Conditions
Wet Conditions

Streamflow Conditions

Streamflow Conditions
Streamflow Conditions
Streamflow Conditions

Soil Moisture Conditions: 1 Meter (100 cm) Depth

0–100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile
70
100
Soil Moisture Anomaly
0%

Report Impacts

Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.