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National Drought Status

Week of
-
States and Territories Experiencing Severe (D2) to Exceptional (D4) Drought:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Current Conditons

The robust Southwest Monsoon appears to be over, and parts of the Central and Southern Plains and mid-South are drying out. However, an Atmospheric River is nearing the Pacific Northwest and northern California, which could help these drought-stricken areas. As of September 14, 38.19% of the U.S. and 45.61% of the lower 48 states are in drought.

 

U.S. Drought Monitor

This Week Change Since Last Week

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4).

The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. 

The USDM Change Map shows where drought has improved, remained the same, or worsened since the previous week's Drought Monitor. Learn more.

U.S. Drought Monitor Categories

The color with the hex code #ffff00 identifies:
D0 - Abnormally Dry
The color with the hex code #ffcc99 identifies:
D1 - Moderate Drought
The color with the hex code #ff6600 identifies:
D2 - Severe Drought
The color with the hex code #ff0000 identifies:
D3 - Extreme Drought
The color with the hex code #660000 identifies:
D4 - Exceptional Drought

Classes Drought Has Degraded or Improved Since Last Week

The color with the hex code #ff9900 identifies:
-3
The color with the hex code #ffd438 identifies:
-2
The color with the hex code #ffff73 identifies:
-1

The color with the hex code #cccccc identifies:
0
The color with the hex code #cdffd4 identifies:
+1
The color with the hex code #8ad48c identifies:
+2
Source(s):

NDMC, NOAA, USDA
Source(s):

NDMC, NOAA, USDA
Updates Weekly  -  09/14/21
Updates Weekly  -  09/16/21

Evaporative Demand (EDDI)

One Week One Month

The Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI) is an experimental drought monitoring tool that can serve as an indicator of both rapidly evolving "flash" droughts and sustained droughts. It examines how anomalous the atmospheric evaporative demand (E0; also known as "the thirst of the atmosphere") is for a given location and across a time period of interest. EDDI can offer early warning of agricultural drought, hydrologic drought, and fire-weather risk. Learn more.

Drought Categories

The color with the hex code #730000 identifies:
ED4
The color with the hex code #e60000 identifies:
ED3
The color with the hex code #ffaa00 identifies:
ED2
The color with the hex code #ffd37f identifies:
ED1
The color with the hex code #ffff00 identifies:
ED0

Wetness Categories

The color with the hex code #8ccdef identifies:
EW0
The color with the hex code #00bfff identifies:
EW1
The color with the hex code #1d90ff identifies:
EW2
The color with the hex code #4169e1 identifies:
EW3
The color with the hex code #0000ff identifies:
EW4
Source(s):

NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
Source(s):

NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
Last Updated  -  09/10/21
Last Updated  -  09/10/21
Experimental Experimental

Precipitation Conditions

7-Day Total 30-Day % of Normal 60-Day % of Normal

The current precipitation conditions show the precipitation accumulation for the last 7 days using the gridMET and NLDAS precipitation datasets.

The last 30- and 60-day percentages of normal precipitation are also available, which show the difference of the last 30 or 60 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged since 1980.

Precipitation data is updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days. Learn more.

Inches of Precipitation

The color with the hex code #ffffff identifies:
≤ 0.01
The color with the hex code #ffffcc identifies:
0.01 - 0.5
The color with the hex code #c7e9b4 identifies:
0.5 - 1
The color with the hex code #7fcdbb identifies:
1 - 2

The color with the hex code #41b6c4 identifies:
2 - 4
The color with the hex code #1d91c0 identifies:
4 - 6
The color with the hex code #225ea8 identifies:
6 - 8
The color with the hex code #0c2c84 identifies:
≥ 8

Percent of Normal Precipitation

The color with the hex code #8c510a identifies:
0 - 25
The color with the hex code #bf812d identifies:
25 - 50
The color with the hex code #dfc27d identifies:
50 - 75
The color with the hex code #f6e8c3 identifies:
75 - 100

The color with the hex code #c7eae5 identifies:
100 - 150
The color with the hex code #80cdc1 identifies:
150 - 200
The color with the hex code #35978f identifies:
200 - 300
The color with the hex code #01665e identifies:
≥ 300

Percent of Normal Precipitation

The color with the hex code #8c510a identifies:
0 - 25
The color with the hex code #bf812d identifies:
25 - 50
The color with the hex code #dfc27d identifies:
50 - 75
The color with the hex code #f6e8c3 identifies:
75 - 100

The color with the hex code #c7eae5 identifies:
100 - 150
The color with the hex code #80cdc1 identifies:
150 - 200
The color with the hex code #35978f identifies:
200 - 300
The color with the hex code #01665e identifies:
≥ 300
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Last Updated  -  09/15/21
Last Updated  -  09/15/21
Last Updated  -  09/15/21

Temperature Conditions

7-Day Mean 7-Day Departure 30-Day Departure

The current temperature conditions show the average maximum daily temperature for the last 7 days using the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets. The last 30- and 60-day departures from normal temperature are also available, which show the difference of the last 30 or 60 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged since 1980. 

Temperature data is updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days. Learn more.

Mean Temperature (°F)

The color with the hex code #05346c identifies:
≤ 0
The color with the hex code #216cac identifies:
0 - 10
The color with the hex code #4393c3 identifies:
10 - 20
The color with the hex code #92c5de identifies:
20 - 30
The color with the hex code #d1e5f0 identifies:
30 - 40
The color with the hex code #ffffff identifies:
40 - 60

The color with the hex code #fddbc7 identifies:
60 - 70
The color with the hex code #f4a582 identifies:
70 - 80
The color with the hex code #d6604d identifies:
80 - 90
The color with the hex code #b2182b identifies:
90 - 100
The color with the hex code #69012c identifies:
≥ 100

Departure from Normal Temperature (°F)

The color with the hex code #0404ff identifies:
≤ -8
The color with the hex code #2166ac identifies:
-6
The color with the hex code #4393c3 identifies:
-4
The color with the hex code #92c5de identifies:
-3
The color with the hex code #d1e5f0 identifies:
-1
The color with the hex code #ffffff identifies:
0

The color with the hex code #fddbc7 identifies:
1
The color with the hex code #f4a582 identifies:
3
The color with the hex code #d6604d identifies:
4
The color with the hex code #b2182b identifies:
6
The color with the hex code #800000 identifies:
≥ 8

Departure from Normal Temperature (°F)

The color with the hex code #0404ff identifies:
≤ -8
The color with the hex code #2166ac identifies:
-6
The color with the hex code #4393c3 identifies:
-4
The color with the hex code #92c5de identifies:
-3
The color with the hex code #d1e5f0 identifies:
-1
The color with the hex code #ffffff identifies:
0

The color with the hex code #fddbc7 identifies:
1
The color with the hex code #f4a582 identifies:
3
The color with the hex code #d6604d identifies:
4
The color with the hex code #b2182b identifies:
6
The color with the hex code #800000 identifies:
≥ 8
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Last Updated  -  09/15/21
Last Updated  -  09/15/21
Last Updated  -  09/15/21
Learn more about these data
38.19%

of the U.S. is in drought this week.

194.6 Million

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

73.4 Million

people in the U.S. are affected by drought this week.

27

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

Outlooks and Forecasts

CPC Drought Outlooks

Monthly Outlook Seasonal Outlook

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center's Monthly Drought Outlook is issued at the end of each calendar month and is valid for the upcoming month. The Outlook predicts whether drought will emerge, stay the same, or get better over the next 30 days or so. Learn more.

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center'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.

Drought Outlook

The color with the hex code #9b634a identifies:
Drought persists
The color with the hex code #ded2bc identifies:
Drought remains but improves
The color with the hex code #b2ad69 identifies:
Drought removal likely
The color with the hex code #ffde63 identifies:
Drought development likely
Source(s):

CPC
Source(s):

CPC
Updates Monthly  -  08/31/21
Updates Monthly  -  09/16/21

CPC Temperature Outlooks

6–10 Days 1 Month 3 Months

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (CPC) produces temperature outlooks for the U.S., including 6–10 day, 8–14 day, monthly, and seasonal outlooks. The outlooks depict whether there is a greater chance for above-normal, below-normal, or near-normal conditions during the noted time frame. Learn more.

Probability of Below-Normal Temperature

The color with the hex code #1c1342 identifies:
> 90%
The color with the hex code #221852 identifies:
> 80%
The color with the hex code #2f406f identifies:
> 70%
The color with the hex code #005ca1 identifies:
> 60%
The color with the hex code #389fdb identifies:
> 50%
The color with the hex code #77b5e2 identifies:
> 40%
The color with the hex code #a0c0df identifies:
> 33%

Probability of Above-Normal Temperature

The color with the hex code #e7b168 identifies:
> 33%
The color with the hex code #e38b4a identifies:
> 40%
The color with the hex code #dc562f identifies:
> 50%
The color with the hex code #c72e28 identifies:
> 60%
The color with the hex code #cc3047 identifies:
> 70%
The color with the hex code #8a2f38 identifies:
> 80%
The color with the hex code #622228 identifies:
> 90%
Source(s):

CPC
Source(s):

CPC
Source(s):

CPC
Updates Daily  -  09/16/21
Updates Monthly  -  08/31/21
Updates Monthly  -  09/16/21

CPC Precipitation Outlooks

6–10 Days 1 Month 3 Months

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (CPC) produces precipitation outlooks for the U.S., including 6–10 day, 8–14 day, monthly, and seasonal outlooks. The outlooks depict whether there is a greater chance for above-normal, below-normal, or near-normal conditions during the noted time frame. Learn more.

Probability of Below-Normal Precipitation

The color with the hex code #4f2f2f identifies:
> 90%
The color with the hex code #804000 identifies:
> 80%
The color with the hex code #934639 identifies:
> 70%
The color with the hex code #9b5031 identifies:
> 60%
The color with the hex code #bb6d33 identifies:
> 50%
The color with the hex code #d8a750 identifies:
> 40%
The color with the hex code #f0d493 identifies:
> 33%

Probability of Above-Normal Precipitation

The color with the hex code #b3d9ab identifies:
> 33%
The color with the hex code #94cd7e identifies:
> 40%
The color with the hex code #48ae38 identifies:
> 50%
The color with the hex code #3a7b5f identifies:
> 60%
The color with the hex code #008e40 identifies:
> 70%
The color with the hex code #28553d identifies:
> 80%
The color with the hex code #285517 identifies:
> 90%
Source(s):

CPC
Source(s):

CPC
Source(s):

CPC
Updates Daily  -  09/16/21
Updates Monthly  -  08/31/21
Updates Monthly  -  09/16/21

Quantitative Precipitation Forecast

7-Day Forecast

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) produces Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPFs) that depict the amount of liquid precipitation expected to fall in a defined period of time. QPFs issued by the WPC are defined as the expected "areal average" (on a 20 x 20 km grid) in inches. This map shows the 7-day total QPF. Learn more.

Predicted Inches of Precipitation

The color with the hex code #7fff00 identifies:
0.01
The color with the hex code #00cd00 identifies:
0.1
The color with the hex code #008b00 identifies:
0.25
The color with the hex code #104e8b identifies:
0.5
The color with the hex code #1e90ff identifies:
0.75
The color with the hex code #00b2ee identifies:
1
The color with the hex code #00eeee identifies:
1.25
The color with the hex code #8968cd identifies:
1.5
The color with the hex code #912cee identifies:
1.75

The color with the hex code #8b008b identifies:
2
The color with the hex code #8b0000 identifies:
2.5
The color with the hex code #cd0000 identifies:
3
The color with the hex code #ee4000 identifies:
4
The color with the hex code #ff7f00 identifies:
5
The color with the hex code #cd8500 identifies:
7
The color with the hex code #ffd700 identifies:
10
The color with the hex code #ffff00 identifies:
15
The color with the hex code #ffaeb9 identifies:
20
Source(s):

NWS Weather Prediction Center
Updates Daily  -  09/16/21
Learn more about these data

Explore National Drought Impacts by Sector

Crops withering in a dry field.
Agriculture
Decorative image. Aerial shot of a road through a forest.
Ecosystems
Decorative image. Solar panels, wind turbines, and powerlines superimposed on one another.
Energy
Decorative image. Person writing on a clipboard.
Hazard Planning & Preparedness
Decorative image. Mechanical components in a factory.
Manufacturing
Decorative image. Barge on a river.
Navigation and Transportation
Woman running by a lake.
Public Health
Decorative image. Two people fly fishing.
Recreation and Tourism
Water tower against a blue sky.
Water Utilities
Decorative image. Firefighters walking toward a fire.
Wildfire Management
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. 

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