Local Page: Data & Maps
Below are all data sources used on the Drought.gov local pages. Have questions about the data, maps, or statistics on Drought.gov? Email us at drought.portal@noaa.gov.
Looking for More Data?
The Drought.gov team reformats data from multiple partners into web- and GIS-ready formats, which we use throughout Drought.gov. These data, hosted on Google Cloud Storage, are free for all to download or reference directly from their web applications.
Precipitation and Temperature Conditions
Graph: Total Precipitation, Last 30 Days
Source: NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) National Water Prediction Service (NWPS)
Gridded precipitation data for locations across the U.S. were obtained using web services from NOAA's National Water Prediction Service. The 13 NWS River Forecast Centers produce Quantitative Precipitation Estimates for their individual RFC areas using a multi-sensor approach that utilizes radar estimates of precipitation, automated and manual precipitation gauges, and satellite estimates of precipitation.
Data are updated daily on Drought.gov, with a 2-day delay to allow for data collection and quality control.
Graph: Maximum Temperature, Last 30 Days
Source: NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA)
Local temperature information from the Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA) dataset was obtained from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction. This graph shows maximum daily temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit.
Data are updated daily on Drought.gov, with a 2-day delay to allow for data collection and quality control.
Map: Recent Precipitation Conditions (GridMET)
Source: University of California Merced, GridMET
The GridMET precipitation datasets were available from Climate Engine in raster format. Precipitation data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control.
Map: Recent Maximum Temperature Conditions (GridMET)
Source: University of California Merced, GridMET
The GridMET temperature datasets were available from Climate Engine in raster format. Temperature data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control.
Future Conditions
CPC 8–14 Day Precipitation and Temperature Outlooks
Source: Climate Prediction Center
8–14 Day Precipitation and Temperature Outlooks from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) were available in a GIS format.
CPC Monthly and Seasonal Drought Outlooks
Source: Climate Prediction Center
Monthly and Seasonal Drought Outlooks from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) were available in a GIS format.
Historical Conditions
U.S. Drought Monitor (2000 - Present)
Standardized Precipitation Index (1895 - Present)
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) data was generated using nClimGrid 5km precipitation data. Monthly gridded SPI data was fitted into the U.S. Drought Monitor drought percentile categories. Categories were accumulated to provide statistical information at the CONUS, state, and county scales.
* Currently, data are only available for the contiguous U.S.
Paleoclimate Data (0 - 2017)
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Annual gridded paleoclimate Palmer Modified Drought Index (PMDI) data was fitted into the U.S. Drought Monitor drought percentile categories. Categories were accumulated to provide statistical information at the CONUS, state, and county scales.
* Currently, data are only available for the contiguous U.S.
Statistics: Drought Numbers by County
Population in Drought
Sources: U.S. Drought Monitor
Data was ingested by the U.S. Drought Monitor web API and stored in a database on the web server.
Drought Rankings
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
County rank data were ingested from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and joined with spatial data. NCEI updates these precipitation in the first week or two of each calendar month, with data for the previous month. View the update schedule here.