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.
The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country using 5 classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4).
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Climate Prediction Center's Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts whether drought will develop, remain, improve, or be removed in the next 3 months or so.
| Value | Map Hex Color | % of U.S. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| D0 - Abnormally Dry | #ffff00 | 15.1 | Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought. |
| D1 - Moderate Drought | #fcd37f | 12.1 | Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. |
| D2 - Severe Drought | #ffaa00 | 10.2 | Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. |
| D3 - Extreme Drought | #e60000 | 6.9 | Extreme Drought Extreme Drought (D3) is the third of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. |
| D4 - Exceptional Drought | #730000 | 2.5 | Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. |
| Total Area in Drought (D1–D4) | dmtotal | 31.7 | Total Area in Drought (D1–D4) Percent area of the 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico that is currently in drought (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. |
| Value | Map Hex Color | % of U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Drought persists | #9b634a | 11.2 |
| Drought remains but improves | #ded2bc | 12.8 |
| Drought removal likely | #b2ad69 | 7.7 |
| Drought development likely | #ffde63 | 0.7 |
The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country using 5 classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4).
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Climate Prediction Center's Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts whether drought will develop, remain, improve, or be removed in the next 3 months or so.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map is released every Thursday morning, with data valid through Tuesday at 7 am Eastern.
The Climate Prediction Center issues its Seasonal Drought Outlooks on the third Thursday of each calendar month. Sometimes, the map is adjusted on the last day of the month to maintain consistency with the Monthly Drought Outlook.
