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Alaska

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    • Current Alaska Drought Maps
    U.S. Drought Monitor USDM 1-Week Change

    Drought & Dryness Categories
    Value Map Hex Color % of AK Description
    D0 – Abnormally Dry #ffff00 0.0 Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought. View typical impacts by state.
    D1 – Moderate Drought #ffcc99 0.0 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 – Severe Drought #ff6600 0.0 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 – Extreme Drought #ff0000 0.0 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 – Exceptional Drought #660000 0.0 Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
    Total Area in Drought (D1–D4) #ffffff 0.0 Total Area in Drought (D1–D4) The percent area of Alaska that is currently in drought (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
    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.

    Updates Weekly: 05/30/23
    Data Valid: 05/30/23
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    Drought in Alaska

    Alaska is a land of extremes. As the largest state in the United States, it spans a vast geographical area that includes many different climates. For example, Southeast Alaska has a mild, maritime climate with mean annual temperatures over 40 °F, with some areas at sea level receiving over 200 inches of precipitation per year. In contrast, the North Slope has an Arctic climate with a mean annual temperature lower than 15 °F, where some areas receive less than 6 inches of precipitation annually—but snow covers the ground 6 to 8 months a year. 

    Because of the great variations in climate and water resources, there are many facets of drought in Alaska. Impacts to hydropower and fisheries are a major concern in Southeast Alaska, while in mainland Alaska dry weather (even over a few weeks) can be a major contributor to wildfire (especially in the spring and summer), threaten community water supplies, and create problems for fish and other wildlife. Snow drought, coupled with warming temperatures, can disrupt transportation in frozen interior regions during the winter.  With temperatures in Alaska rising and the snow season becoming shorter, drought in the future may become a more significant problem than in the past, even if total precipitation increases. Extreme events, including flooding and drought, are expected to occur with higher frequency and intensity, including extreme wet and dry events. 

    NIDIS supports eight regional Drought Early Warning Systems (DEWS) throughout the United States. In addition, NIDIS supports states outside these regions, like Alaska, by delivering drought early warning information through Drought.gov; investing in drought research to address key scientific and societal needs; and supporting the development of new tools and products that serve the entire nation. 

    Alaska State Drought Resources

    State Drought Agency: 

    Alaska Department of Natural Resources

    State Hazard Mitigation Plan: 

    State of Alaska Hazard Mitigation Plan (2018)

    State Climate Office: 

    Alaska Climate Research Center

    Alaska Current Conditions

    A number of physical indicators are important for monitoring drought, such as precipitation, temperature and water supply (e.g., streamflow, snowpack). Learn more about monitoring drought.

    Alaska Streamflow Conditions

    Real-Time Streamflow

    Streamflow Conditions
    Value Map Hex Color Description
    Low #ff0000 Record Low Estimated streamflow is the lowest value recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    Much Below #b12121 Much Below Normal ( Estimated streamflow is in the 0–10th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    Below #ffa400 Below Normal (10th–25th Percentile) Estimated streamflow is in the 10th–25th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    Normal #00ff00 Normal (25th–75th Percentile) Estimated streamflow is in the 25th–75th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    Value Map Hex Color Description
    Above #40dfd0 Above Normal (75th–90th Percentile) Estimated streamflow is in the 75th–90th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    Much Above #0000ff Much Above Normal (>90th Percentile) Estimated streamflow is in the 90th–100th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    High #000000 Record High Estimated streamflow is the highest value ever measured at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
    Not Ranked #ffffff Not Ranked A flow category has not been computed for this gauge, for example due to insufficient historical data or no current streamflow estimates.

    Data Valid: 06/01/23
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    Alaska Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)

    % of Median SWE

    Percent of Median Snow Water Equivalent
    Range Map Hex Color Description
    0% - 50% #e80000 < 50% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is less than 50% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.
    50% - 70% #e39a00 50%–70% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is between 50%–70% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.
    70% - 90% #e6e500 70%–90% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is between 70%–90% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.
    90% - 110% #4ee504 90%–110% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is between 90%–110% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.
    110% - 130% #70ffdd 110%–130% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is between 110%–130% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.
    130% - 150% #00a9e4 130%–150% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is between 130%–150% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.
    150% - #0100fe >150% of Median Current snow water equivalent (SWE) is greater than 150% of the median SWE value for this day of the year, compared to historical conditions from 1991–2020.&nbsp;
    Value Map Hex Color
    No basin value #767676

    Data Valid: 05/31/23
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    Outlooks & Forecasts for Alaska

    Predicting drought in Alaska depends on the ability to forecast precipitation and temperature within the context of complex climate interactions. View more outlooks & forecasts.

    Future Precipitation & Temperature Conditions

    8–14 Day Precip 8–14 Day Temp

    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color Description
    100% - 90% #4f2f2f >90% Chance of Below Normal There is a &gt;90% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    90% - 80% #804000 80%–90% Chance of Below Normal There is an 80%–90% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    80% - 70% #934639 70%–80% Chance of Below Normal There is an 70%–80% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    70% - 60% #9b5031 60%–70% Chance of Below Normal There is an 60%–70% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    60% - 50% #bb6d33 50%–60% Chance of Below Normal There is an 50%–60% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    50% - 40% #d8a750 40%–50% Chance of Below Normal There is an 40%–50% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    40% - 33% #f0d493 33%–40% Chance of Below Normal There is an 33%–40% chance&nbsp;of below-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color Description
    33% - 40% #b3d9ab 33%–40% Chance of Above Normal There is an 33%–40% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    40% - 50% #94cd7e 40%–50% Chance of Above Normal There is an 40%–50% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    50% - 60% #48ae38 50%–60% Chance of Above Normal There is an 50%–60% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    60% - 70% #3a7b5f 60%–70% Chance of Above Normal There is an 60%–70% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    70% - 80% #008e40 70%–80% Chance of Above Normal There is an 70%–80% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    80% - 90% #28553d 80%–90% Chance of Above Normal There is an 80%–90% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    90% - 100% #285517 >90% Chance of Above Normal There is a&nbsp;&gt;90% chance&nbsp;of above-normal precipitation during this period.&nbsp;
    Value Map Hex Color Description
    Near-Normal Conditions #a2a2a2 Near-Normal Odds favor near-normal precipitation during this period.
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color Description
    100% - 90% #1c1342 >90% Chance of Below Normal There is a &gt;90% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    90% - 80% #221852 80%–90% Chance of Below Normal There is an 80%–90% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    80% - 70% #2f406f 70%–80% Chance of Below Normal There is an 70%–80% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    70% - 60% #005ca1 60%–70% Chance of Below Normal There is an 60%–70% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    60% - 50% #389fdb 50%–60% Chance of Below Normal There is an 50%–60% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    50% - 40% #77b5e2 40%–50% Chance of Below Normal There is an 40%–50% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    40% - 33% #a0c0df 33%–40% Chance of Below Normal There is an 33%–40% chance&nbsp;of below-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color Description
    33% - 40% #e7b168 33%–40% Chance of Above Normal There is an 33%–40% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    40% - 50% #e38b4a 40%–50% Chance of Above Normal There is an 40%–50% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    50% - 60% #dc562f 50%–60% Chance of Above Normal There is an 50%–60% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    60% - 70% #c72e28 60%–70% Chance of Above Normal There is an 60%–70% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    70% - 80% #cc3047 70%–80% Chance of Above Normal There is an 70%–80% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    80% - 90% #8a2f38 80%–90% Chance of Above Normal There is an 80%–90% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    90% - 100% #622228 >90% Chance of Above Normal There is a&nbsp;&gt;90% chance&nbsp;of above-normal temperatures during this period.&nbsp;
    Value Map Hex Color Description
    Near-Normal Conditions #a2a2a2 Near-Normal Odds favor near-normal temperatures during this period.

    Data Valid: 06/01/23
    Data Valid: 06/01/23
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    Drought Outlooks for Alaska

    Monthly Seasonal

    Drought Is Predicted To...
    Value Map Hex Color Description
    Persist #9b634a Drought Persists During this time period, drought is forecast to persist.
    Improve #ded2bc Drought Improves During this time period, drought is forecast to improve.
    End #b2ad69 Drought Is Removed During this time period, drought removal is forecast.
    Develop #ffde63 Drought Develops During this time period, drought development is forecast.
    N/A #ffffff No Drought Present
    Drought Is Predicted To...
    Value Map Hex Color Description
    Persist #9b634a Drought Persists During this time period, drought is forecast to persist.
    Improve #ded2bc Drought Improves During this time period, drought is forecast to improve.
    End #b2ad69 Drought Is Removed During this time period, drought removal is forecast.
    Develop #ffde63 Drought Develops During this time period, drought development is forecast.
    N/A #ffffff No Drought Present

    Data Valid: 05/31/23
    Data Valid: 05/31/23
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    Historical Drought Conditions in Alaska

    Drought is a normal climate pattern that has occurred in varying degrees of length, severity, and size throughout history. Below, you can look back at past drought conditions for Alaska according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map that shows the location and intensity of drought across the country since 2000. View more historical conditions.

    2000–Present

    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.&nbsp;View typical impacts by state.
    D1 #ffcc99 D1 – Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.&nbsp;View typical impacts by state.
    D2 #ff6600 D2 – Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.&nbsp;View typical impacts by state.
    D3 #ff0000 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 #660000 D4 – Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.&nbsp;View typical impacts by state.

    The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

    Learn more about these data

    Drought Resources for Alaska

    Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

    Drought Alert Emails
    Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

    Regional Drought Status Updates
    NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

    Dry Times Bi-Weekly Drought Newsletter
    Issued every other Thursday, Dry Times is an email newsletter with the latest drought news, events, and data & maps.

    Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

    Drought in your area? 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.

    Report Impacts
    Drought in your area? Report Impacts
    State & Regional Resources

    Report: Southeast Alaska Drought (2023)

    Research: Causes and Impacts of the 2016–2019 Southeast Alaska Drought

    Story Map: Historic Drought in a Rainforest: Southeast Alaska (2017–2019)

    Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center

    Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP, a NOAA CAP/RISA team)

    CoCoRaHS | Alaska

    University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service

    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service | Alaska

    USDA | Northwest Climate Hub

    Western Regional Climate Center:

    National Weather Service:

    USGS | Current Water Data

    NDMC | Alaska Drought Planning Resources

    ACIS Precipitation Maps

    Alaska Fire Science Consortium | Alaska's Changing Wildfire Environment (PDF)