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A marsh in Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Introducing two brand new features on Drought.gov that will make it easier for decision makers and the public to share timely, reliable drought information: new map customization and sharing options across the website and new interactive economic sector maps.

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 and Outlooks

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. Drought categories show experts’ assessments of conditions related to dryness and drought including observations of how much water is available in streams, lakes, and soils compared to usual for the same time of year. 

Learn More

The Climate Prediction Center's (CPC's) Seasonal Drought Outlook is issued monthly on the third Thursday of each month. The Outlook predicts whether drought will emerge, stay the same, or get better in the next three months.

Learn More

U.S. Drought Monitor Category

% of U.S.
The color with the hex code #ffff00 identifies:
D0 - Abnormally Dry
50.2
The color with the hex code #ffcc99 identifies:
D1 - Moderate Drought
40.2
The color with the hex code #ff6600 identifies:
D2 - Severe Drought
32.1
The color with the hex code #ff0000 identifies:
D3 - Extreme Drought
22.4
The color with the hex code #660000 identifies:
D4 - Exceptional Drought
7.7

Drought Outlook Category

% of U.S.
The color with the hex code #9b634a identifies:
Drought persists
32.1
The color with the hex code #ded2bc identifies:
Drought remains but improves
2.2
The color with the hex code #b2ad69 identifies:
Drought removal likely
5.3
The color with the hex code #ffde63 identifies:
Drought development likely
8.9
News
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News & Events
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is pleased to announce two new interactive features on Drought.gov that will make it easier for decision makers and the public across the U.S. to share timely, reliable drought information. These new maps further the goal of making Drought.gov a one-stop shop for data, decision-support products, and resources. First, new customization
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News & Events
Effective use of drought forecasts is critical for farmers to make proactive, well-informed decisions. Forecasts are especially important in rainfed agriculture, since without irrigation, little can be done to protect against droughts once a crop is planted. A key factor that determines how decision makers respond to and use drought forecasts is the extent to which they trust those forecasts.
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News & Events
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is pleased to release A Strategy for the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network: Coordinated, High-Quality, Nationwide Soil Moisture Information for the Public Good (also known as the “NCSMMN Strategy”). Developed in part to fulfill the requirements of the NIDIS Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-423