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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Alaska

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Alaska 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 following drought impacts are specific to Southeast Alaska and were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Southeast Alaska. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Some lingering water deficits
  • Hydro-power conservation efforts to mitigate economic impacts
0.0
of AK
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Reservoirs/hydro-power limitations: wells low; water shortages imminent
  • Recreation and fish migrations affected by low stream
  • Increased threat to forest health (pest/insect)
  • Fish hatcheries affected, increased wildlife
0.0
of AK
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Drinking water shortages common
  • Water-use restrictions imposed (seafood processing plants, watering plants)
  • Fish kills (low flow, high water temps)
  • Significant reduced hydro-power generation
0.0
of AK
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Widespread water shortages or restrictions
  • No hydro-power generation
  • Widespread fish kills
  • Drought emergency declaration
0
of AK
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Shortages of water in streams and wells creating water emergencies
  • Widespread no hydro-power generation
  • Drought disaster declaration
0
of AK
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Some lingering water deficits
  • Hydro-power conservation efforts to mitigate economic impacts
0.0
of AK
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Reservoirs/hydro-power limitations: wells low; water shortages imminent
  • Recreation and fish migrations affected by low stream
  • Increased threat to forest health (pest/insect)
  • Fish hatcheries affected, increased wildlife
0.0
of AK
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Drinking water shortages common
  • Water-use restrictions imposed (seafood processing plants, watering plants)
  • Fish kills (low flow, high water temps)
  • Significant reduced hydro-power generation
0.0
of AK
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Widespread water shortages or restrictions
  • No hydro-power generation
  • Widespread fish kills
  • Drought emergency declaration
0
of AK
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Shortages of water in streams and wells creating water emergencies
  • Widespread no hydro-power generation
  • Drought disaster declaration
0
of AK
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Some lingering water deficits
  • Hydro-power conservation efforts to mitigate economic impacts
0.0
of AK
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Reservoirs/hydro-power limitations: wells low; water shortages imminent
  • Recreation and fish migrations affected by low stream
  • Increased threat to forest health (pest/insect)
  • Fish hatcheries affected, increased wildlife
0.0
of AK
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Drinking water shortages common
  • Water-use restrictions imposed (seafood processing plants, watering plants)
  • Fish kills (low flow, high water temps)
  • Significant reduced hydro-power generation
0.0
of AK
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Widespread water shortages or restrictions
  • No hydro-power generation
  • Widespread fish kills
  • Drought emergency declaration
0
of AK
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Shortages of water in streams and wells creating water emergencies
  • Widespread no hydro-power generation
  • Drought disaster declaration
0
of AK
(D4)
0
people in Alaska are affected by drought
0
counties with USDA disaster designations
39th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 99 years
39th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 99 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and Borough

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and borough level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

Drought in Alaska from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Alaska lasted 79 weeks beginning on July 17, 2018, and ending on January 14, 2020. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 27, 2019, where D3 affected 1.5% of Alaska land.

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.

Time Period (Years): to

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.