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National Drought Status

Week of
-

Current Conditons

Almost every region in the U.S. saw improvements to drought or dryness this past week, especially the South/Southeast. However, the Midwest, particularly Illinois and Indiana, worsened. And the South/Southeast still needs a lot more precipitation. As of November 28, 2023, 30.28% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico and 36.05% of the lower 48 states are in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

 

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.

Soil Moisture Conditions

0–100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile
Range Map Hex Color Description
0 - 2 #630f08 0–2nd Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth is in the bottom 2% (0–2nd percentile) of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
2 - 5 #da2d20 2nd–5th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 2nd to 5th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
5 - 10 #de7a2e 5th–10th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 5th to 10th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
10 - 20 #f6b573 10th–20th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 10th to 20th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
20 - 30 #ffff66 20th–30th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 20th to 30th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
30 - 70 #c8c8c8 30th–70th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 30th to 70th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
Range Map Hex Color Description
70 - 80 #c3f7b2 70th–80th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 70th to 80th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
80 - 90 #78f573 80th–90th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 80th to 90th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
90 - 95 #37d23c 90th–95th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 90th to 95th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
95 - 98 #0fa00f 95th–98th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth falls between the 95th to 98th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
98 - 100 #3c83e8 98th–100th Percentile Soil moisture at 0–100cm depth is in the top 2% (98th to 100th percentile) of historical measurements for this day of the year. Learn more.
20 cm Soil Moisture Percentile
Range Map Hex Color Description
0 - 2 #730000 0–2nd Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth is in the bottom 2% (0–2nd percentile) of historical measurements for this day of the year. 
2 - 5 #e60000 2nd–5th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 2nd to 5th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year.
5 - 10 #e69800 5th–10th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 5th to 10th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. 
10 - 20 #fed37f 10th–20th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 10th to 20th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year.
20 - 30 #fefe00 20th–30th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 20th to 30th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year.
30 - 70 #c8c8c8 30th–70th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 30th to 70th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year.
Range Map Hex Color Description
70 - 80 #aaf596 70th–80th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 70th to 80th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. 
80 - 90 #4ce600 80th–90th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 80th to 90th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year.
90 - 95 #38a800 90th–95th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 90th to 95th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. 
95 - 98 #145a00 95th–98th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth falls between the 95th to 98th percentile of historical measurements for this day of the year. 
98 - 100 #002673 98th–100th Percentile Soil moisture at 20cm depth is in the top 2% (98th to 100th percentile) of historical measurements for this day of the year. 
Root Zone Soil Moisture: Wetness Percentile
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 2 #730000
2 - 5 #E60000
5 - 10 #FFAA00
10 - 20 #FCD37F
20 - 30 #FFFF00
30 - 70 #ffffff
Range Map Hex Color
30 - 70 #ffffff
70 - 80 #8ccdef
80 - 90 #99BFFF
90 - 95 #1D90FF
95 - 98 #4169E1
98 - 100 #0000FF

30.28%

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

250.5 Million

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

92.9 Million

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

39

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