National Drought Status
Flash drought continues to hammer the Southern Plains, as well as southwestern Nebraska and northeastern Colorado, where Exceptional Drought (D4) was introduced. Parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island are now in Extreme Drought (D3), according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. As of August 9, 2022, 41.97% of the U.S. and 50.11% of the lower 48 states are in drought.