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National Current Conditions

March 6, 2024 - March 12, 2024

This past week brought hit-or-miss storms: Drought conditions in northern Missouri worsened, while southern Missouri improved. Western Wyoming improved, while eastern Wyoming worsened. Meanwhile, Minnesota and Texas saw only degradations. The Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Southeast improved. As of March 12, 2024, 18.66% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico and 22.25% of the lower 48 states are in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

18.66%

of the U.S. and 22.25% of the lower 48 states are in drought this week.

Increase of
1.9%
since last week
Increase of
14.3%
since last month
153.5 Million

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

Change of
0.0%
since last week
Increase of
5.9%
since last month
30.8 Million

people in the U.S. and 30.1 Million in the lower 48 states are affected by drought this week.

Increase of
6.5%
since last week
Increase of
23.4%
since last month
30

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

Change of
No change
since last week
Increase of
1 state
since last month

U.S. Drought Monitor

U.S. Drought Monitor
Value Map Hex Color Description
D0 #ffff00 D0 - Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D1 #fcd37f D1 – Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D2 #fa0 D2 – Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D3 #e60000 D3 – Extreme Drought Extreme Drought (D3) is the third of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D4 #730000 D4 – Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
Drought Change Since Last Week
Value Map Hex Color Description
-3 #ff9900 3-Category Degradation Drought/dryness has worsened by 3 categories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
-2 #ffd438 2-Category Degradation Drought/dryness has worsened by 2 categories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
-1 #ffff73 1-Category Degradation Drought/dryness has worsened by 1 category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
0 #cccccc No Change There has been no change in drought conditions at this location.
+1 #cdffd4 1-Category Improvement Drought/dryness has improved by 1 category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
+2 #8ad48c 2-Category Improvement Drought/dryness has improved by 2 categories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
+3 #52956a 3-Category Improvement Drought/dryness has improved by 3 categories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Precipitation Conditions

Inches of Precipitation
Range Map Hex Color Description
0 - 0.01 #ffffff This location received less than 0.01 inch of precipitation during this 7-day period.
0.01 - 0.5 #ffffcc This location received 0.01–0.5 inch of precipitation during this 7-day period.
0.5 - 1 #c7e9b4 This location received 0.5–1 inch of precipitation during this 7-day period.
1 - 2 #7fcdbb This location received 1–2 inches of precipitation during this 7-day period.
2 - 4 #41b6c4 This location received 2–4 inches of precipitation during this 7-day period.
4 - 6 #1d91c0 This location received 4–6 inches of precipitation during this 7-day period.
6 - 8 #225ea8 This location received 6–8 inches of precipitation during this 7-day period.
8 - #0c2c84 This location received more than 8 inches of precipitation during this 7-day period.
Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)
Range Map Hex Color Description
0% - 25% #8c510a Precipitation was only 0% to 25% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
25% - 50% #bf812d 25%–50% of Normal Precipitation was 25% to 50% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
50% - 75% #dfc27d 50%–75% of Normal Precipitation was 50% to 75% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
75% - 100% #f6e8c3 75%–100% of Normal Precipitation was 75% to 100% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
Range Map Hex Color Description
100% - 150% #c7eae5 100%–150% of Normal Precipitation was 100% to 150% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
150% - 200% #80cdc1 150%–200% of Normal Precipitation was 150% to 200% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
200% - 300% #35978f 200%–300% of Normal Precipitation was 200% to 300% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
300% - #01665e >300% of Normal Precipitation was greater than 300% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)
Range Map Hex Color Description
0% - 25% #8c510a Precipitation was only 0% to 25% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
25% - 50% #bf812d 25%–50% of Normal Precipitation was 25% to 50% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
50% - 75% #dfc27d 50%–75% of Normal Precipitation was 50% to 75% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
75% - 100% #f6e8c3 75%–100% of Normal Precipitation was 75% to 100% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
Range Map Hex Color Description
100% - 150% #c7eae5 100%–150% of Normal Precipitation was 100% to 150% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
150% - 200% #80cdc1 150%–200% of Normal Precipitation was 150% to 200% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
200% - 300% #35978f 200%–300% of Normal Precipitation was 200% to 300% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
300% - #01665e >300% of Normal Precipitation was greater than 300% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 

Temperature Conditions

Maximum Temperature (°F)
Range Map Hex Color Description
- 0 #05346c The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is below 0°F.
0 - 10 #216cac 0–10°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 0–10°F.
10 - 20 #4393c3 10–20°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 10–20°F.
20 - 30 #92c5de 20–30°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 20–30°F.
30 - 40 #d1e5f0 30–40°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 30–40°F.
40 - 60 #ffffff 40–60°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 40–60°F.
Range Map Hex Color Description
60 - 70 #fddbc7 60–70°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 60–70°F.
70 - 80 #f4a582 70–80°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 70–80°F.
80 - 90 #d6604d 80–90°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 80–90°F.
90 - 100 #b2182b 90–100°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between 90–100°F.
100 - #69012c >100°F The 7-day average daily maximum temperature is between greater than 100°F.
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
Range Map Hex Color Description
- -8 #0404ff >8°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was more than 8°F colder than normal for this location.
-8 - -6 #2166ac 6–8°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 6–8°F colder than normal for this location.
-6 - -4 #4393c3 4–6°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 4–6°F colder than normal for this location.
-4 - -3 #92c5de 3–4°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 3–4°F colder than normal for this location.
-3 - -1 #d1e5f0 1–3°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 1–3°F colder than normal for this location.
-1 - 0 #ffffff 0–1°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 0–1°F colder than normal for this location.
Range Map Hex Color Description
0 - 1 #ffffff 0–1°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 0–1°F warmer than normal for this location.
1 - 3 #fddbc7 1–3°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 1–3°F warmer than normal for this location.
3 - 4 #f4a582 3–4°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 3–4°F warmer than normal for this location.
4 - 6 #d6604d 4–6°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 4–6°F warmer than normal for this location.
6 - 8 #b2182b 6–8°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 6–8°F warmer than normal for this location.
8 - #800000 >8°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was more than 8°F warmer than normal for this location.
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
Range Map Hex Color Description
- -8 #0404ff >8°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was more than 8°F colder than normal for this location.
-8 - -6 #2166ac 6–8°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 6–8°F colder than normal for this location.
-6 - -4 #4393c3 4–6°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 4–6°F colder than normal for this location.
-4 - -3 #92c5de 3–4°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 3–4°F colder than normal for this location.
-3 - -1 #d1e5f0 1–3°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 1–3°F colder than normal for this location.
-1 - 0 #ffffff 0–1°F Below Normal The average maximum temperature was 0–1°F colder than normal for this location.
Range Map Hex Color Description
0 - 1 #ffffff 0–1°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 0–1°F warmer than normal for this location.
1 - 3 #fddbc7 1–3°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 1–3°F warmer than normal for this location.
3 - 4 #f4a582 3–4°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 3–4°F warmer than normal for this location.
4 - 6 #d6604d 4–6°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 4–6°F warmer than normal for this location.
6 - 8 #b2182b 6–8°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was 6–8°F warmer than normal for this location.
8 - #800000 >8°F Above Normal The average maximum temperature was more than 8°F warmer than normal for this location.

Multi-Indicator Drought Index (MIDI)

Dry Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
D4 #730000 Exceptional Drought (0–2nd Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 98% to 100% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D3 #E60000 Extreme Drought (2nd–5th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 95% to 98% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D2 #FFAA00 Severe Drought (5th–10th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 90% to 95% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D1 #FCD37F Moderate Drought (10th–20th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 80% to 90% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D0 #FFFF00 Abnormally Dry (20th–30th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 70% to 80% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
Wet Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
W0 #AAFF55 Abnormally Wet (70th–80th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 70% to 80% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W1 #01FFFF Moderate Wet (80th–90th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 80% to 90% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W2 #00AAFF Severe Wet (90th–95th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 90% to 95% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W3 #0000FF Extreme Wet (95th–98th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 95% to 98% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W4 #0000AA Exceptional Wet (98th–100th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 98% to 100% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
Dry Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
D4 #730000 Exceptional Drought (0–2nd Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 98% to 100% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D3 #E60000 Extreme Drought (2nd–5th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 95% to 98% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D2 #FFAA00 Severe Drought (5th–10th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 90% to 95% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D1 #FCD37F Moderate Drought (10th–20th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 80% to 90% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
D0 #FFFF00 Abnormally Dry (20th–30th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are drier than 70% to 80% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
Wet Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
W0 #AAFF55 Abnormally Wet (70th–80th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 70% to 80% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W1 #01FFFF Moderate Wet (80th–90th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 80% to 90% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W2 #00AAFF Severe Wet (90th–95th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 90% to 95% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W3 #0000FF Extreme Wet (95th–98th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 95% to 98% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.
W4 #0000AA Exceptional Wet (98th–100th Percentile) This map integrates multiple drought indices measuring precipitation and moisture into one computer-generated drought map, with a reference period of 1979–present. According to these indices, current conditions are wetter than 98% to 100% of past conditions. Learn more about these categories.

Experimental
Experimental

Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)

Dry Conditions
Range Map Hex Color
- -5 #730000
-5 - -4 #e60000
-4 - -3 #ffaa00
-3 - -2 #fcd37f
-2 - -1 #ffff00
Wet Conditions
Range Map Hex Color
1 - 2 #aaff55
2 - 3 #01ffff
3 - 4 #00aaff
4 - 5 #00f
5 - #00a

Experimental

Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI)

Drought Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
ED4 #730000 Exceptional Drought (98th–100th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 98% to 100% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
ED3 #E60000 Extreme Drought (95th–98th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 95% to 98% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
ED2 #FFAA00 Severe Drought (90th–95th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 90% to 95% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
ED1 #FCD37F Moderate Drought (80th–90th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 80% to 90% of previous values. Learn more about these categories.
ED0 #FFFF00 Abnormally Dry (70th–80th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 70% to 80% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
Wet Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
EW0 #AAFF55 Abnormally Wet (20th–30th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 20% to 30% of historical values (i.e., only 20%–30% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW1 #01FFFF Moderate Wet (10th–20th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 10% to 20% of historical values (i.e., only 10%–20% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW2 #00AAFF Severe Wet (5th–10th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 5% to 10% of historical values (i.e., only 5%–10% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW3 #0000FF Extreme Wet (2nd–5th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 2% to 5% of historical values (i.e., only 2%–5% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW4 #0000AA Exceptional Wet (0–2nd Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 0% to 2% of historical values (i.e., less than 2% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
Drought Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
ED4 #730000 Exceptional Drought (98th–100th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 98% to 100% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
ED3 #E60000 Extreme Drought (95th–98th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 95% to 98% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
ED2 #FFAA00 Severe Drought (90th–95th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 90% to 95% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
ED1 #FCD37F Moderate Drought (80th–90th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 80% to 90% of previous values. Learn more about these categories.
ED0 #FFFF00 Abnormally Dry (70th–80th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, evaporative demand is forecast to be greater than 70% to 80% of historical values. Learn more about these categories.
Wet Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
EW0 #AAFF55 Abnormally Wet (20th–30th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 20% to 30% of historical values (i.e., only 20%–30% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW1 #01FFFF Moderate Wet (10th–20th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 10% to 20% of historical values (i.e., only 10%–20% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW2 #00AAFF Severe Wet (5th–10th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 5% to 10% of historical values (i.e., only 5%–10% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW3 #0000FF Extreme Wet (2nd–5th Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 2% to 5% of historical values (i.e., only 2%–5% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.
EW4 #0000AA Exceptional Wet (0–2nd Percentile) Compared to "normal" conditions, current evaporative demand is forecast to be in the bottom 0% to 2% of historical values (i.e., less than 2% of previous values had lower evaporative demand). Learn more about these categories.

Experimental
Experimental
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.