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California
6,033,000 more in abnormally dry areas.
of the state’s population,
16% more in abnormally dry areas.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a map that shows the location and intensity of drought across the country. The data is updated each Tuesday and released on Thursday. This map shows the drought conditions on October 20, 2020.
Learn more about the US Drought Monitor
- Short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops
- Some lingering water deficits
- Pastures or crops not fully recovered
- Some damage to crops, pastures
- Some water shortages developing
- Voluntary water-use restrictions requested
- Crop or pasture loss likely
- Water shortages common
- Water restrictions imposed
- Major crop/pasture losses
- Widespread water shortages or restrictions
- Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses
- Shortages of water creating water emergencies
Drought in California
from 2000 - 2020
The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in California lasted 376 weeks beginning on December 27, 2011 and ending on March 5th, 2019. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of July 29, 2014 where D4 affected 58.41% of California land.
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The Drought Impact Reporter (DIR) is an online archive to collect and display drought condition reports and impacts across the United States. Impact categories include agriculture, business and industry, energy, fire, plants and wildlife, public health, tourism and recreation, and water supply. The DIR allows users to report local drought impacts and conditions, and to search its archive to better understand drought’s effects at the national, state, county, and city scales.
