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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Arizona

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 Arizona 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 state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Arizona. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Forage is limited; soil is dry
  • Fire risk increases
24.5
of AZ
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Plants are stressed; hillsides are unusually brown
  • Stock ponds and creeks are nearly dry; some springs are dry
8.3
of AZ
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Water and feed are inadequate for livestock
  • Fire danger is high; fire crews are mobilizing
  • Little forage remains for wildlife; pine trees are losing needles
0.0
of AZ
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Ranching operations are affected
  • Fire preparedness increases; fire restrictions are implemented early
  • Skiing tourism is low; snowpack is extremely low
0.0
of AZ
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Fire restrictions increase; large fires occur year-round
  • Vegetation green-up is poor; native plants are dying
  • Lakes, ponds, and streams are dry
0.0
of AZ
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Forage is limited; soil is dry
  • Fire risk increases
29.0
of AZ
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Plants are stressed; hillsides are unusually brown
  • Stock ponds and creeks are nearly dry; some springs are dry
9.1
of AZ
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Water and feed are inadequate for livestock
  • Fire danger is high; fire crews are mobilizing
  • Little forage remains for wildlife; pine trees are losing needles
0.0
of AZ
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Ranching operations are affected
  • Fire preparedness increases; fire restrictions are implemented early
  • Skiing tourism is low; snowpack is extremely low
0.0
of AZ
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Fire restrictions increase; large fires occur year-round
  • Vegetation green-up is poor; native plants are dying
  • Lakes, ponds, and streams are dry
0.0
of AZ
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Forage is limited; soil is dry
  • Fire risk increases
37.4
of AZ
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Plants are stressed; hillsides are unusually brown
  • Stock ponds and creeks are nearly dry; some springs are dry
20.6
of AZ
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Water and feed are inadequate for livestock
  • Fire danger is high; fire crews are mobilizing
  • Little forage remains for wildlife; pine trees are losing needles
1.2
of AZ
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Ranching operations are affected
  • Fire preparedness increases; fire restrictions are implemented early
  • Skiing tourism is low; snowpack is extremely low
0.0
of AZ
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Fire restrictions increase; large fires occur year-round
  • Vegetation green-up is poor; native plants are dying
  • Lakes, ponds, and streams are dry
0.0
of AZ
(D4)
248.7 Thousand
people in Arizona are affected by drought
14
counties with USDA disaster designations
17th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
17th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county 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 Arizona from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Arizona lasted 512 weeks beginning on August 18, 2009, and ending on June 4, 2019. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of December 1, 2020, where D4 affected 76.81% of Arizona 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 Arizona

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.

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

Intermountain West Drought Email List
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Intermountain West.

Southwest Drought Briefing Webinars
These webinars provide the region with timely information on current and developing climate conditions such as drought, floods, and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña.

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.