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Drought and heat often appear together, but new research funded by NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System found that drought can lengthen heat waves occurring at the same time.



Advancing Drought Science and Preparedness Across the Nation

The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is a multi-agency partnership that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, tribal, state, and local levels.

Current Conditions

U.S. Drought Monitor Category
% of U.S.
18.3
12.6
8.1
5.6
1.6
27.9
Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)
100%
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
0

News
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News & Events
Drought and heat often appear together, but new research funded by NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System found that drought can lengthen heat waves occurring at the same time.Drought and extreme temperatures can dry out vegetation, leading to billions of dollars in agricultural losses and building up fuels that can ignite in wildfires. These hazards can also reduce water supplies
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News & Events
Every winter, vast quantities of snow start accumulating in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains of the Pacific Northwest. This snow typically reaches a peak volume in late March or early April.  Snowpack is the largest reservoir in the Pacific Northwest. As spring and summer temperatures warm, the snow begins to melt and increase river flows from March through July. The increase in flows can
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News & Events
In 2024, heat and a lack of rainfall led to widespread drought across the Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia). For some locations, this was the worst drought the region experienced in more than two decades. NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), Northeast Regional Climate Center (