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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for North Dakota

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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Crop germination is poor
  • Grass fires increase
100.0
of ND
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops and pastures are water stressed; farmers are encouraged to have a drought plan
  • Fire danger increases
  • Grasshopper infestation occurs
48.8
of ND
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Soil moisture is low; pasture and rangeland is dry; crop conditions are poor; hay yields are low; cattle are sold
  • Open burn and firework restrictions are implemented; fire activity intensifies
  • Conditions are dusty; air quality is poor
2.4
of ND
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Crops stop growing; pastures go dormant, emergency haying of conservation areas is authorized
  • Blue-green algae blooms cause cattle death
  • Large wildfires burn
0.0
of ND
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Wheat is baled for hay; numerous tests are conducted on water nitrate level and quality and high nitrate levels in forage; Farm Service Agency increases staffing; producers cull cattle
  • Wildfires are immense; rural/volunteer fire departments are stressed; rural fire departments run out of funding
  • Fewer hunting permits are issued
0.0
of ND
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Crop germination is poor
  • Grass fires increase
100.0
of ND
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops and pastures are water stressed; farmers are encouraged to have a drought plan
  • Fire danger increases
  • Grasshopper infestation occurs
61.5
of ND
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Soil moisture is low; pasture and rangeland is dry; crop conditions are poor; hay yields are low; cattle are sold
  • Open burn and firework restrictions are implemented; fire activity intensifies
  • Conditions are dusty; air quality is poor
3.1
of ND
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Crops stop growing; pastures go dormant, emergency haying of conservation areas is authorized
  • Blue-green algae blooms cause cattle death
  • Large wildfires burn
0.0
of ND
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Wheat is baled for hay; numerous tests are conducted on water nitrate level and quality and high nitrate levels in forage; Farm Service Agency increases staffing; producers cull cattle
  • Wildfires are immense; rural/volunteer fire departments are stressed; rural fire departments run out of funding
  • Fewer hunting permits are issued
0.0
of ND
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Crop germination is poor
  • Grass fires increase
100.0
of ND
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops and pastures are water stressed; farmers are encouraged to have a drought plan
  • Fire danger increases
  • Grasshopper infestation occurs
79.7
of ND
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Soil moisture is low; pasture and rangeland is dry; crop conditions are poor; hay yields are low; cattle are sold
  • Open burn and firework restrictions are implemented; fire activity intensifies
  • Conditions are dusty; air quality is poor
3.8
of ND
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Crops stop growing; pastures go dormant, emergency haying of conservation areas is authorized
  • Blue-green algae blooms cause cattle death
  • Large wildfires burn
0.0
of ND
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Wheat is baled for hay; numerous tests are conducted on water nitrate level and quality and high nitrate levels in forage; Farm Service Agency increases staffing; producers cull cattle
  • Wildfires are immense; rural/volunteer fire departments are stressed; rural fire departments run out of funding
  • Fewer hunting permits are issued
0.0
of ND
(D4)
311,670
people in North Dakota are affected by drought
5
counties with USDA disaster designations
40th
driest February was in 2023, over the past 129 years
9th
driest 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:
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Drought in North Dakota from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in North Dakota lasted 162 weeks beginning on June 4, 2002, and ending on July 5, 2005. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of May 25, 2021, where D4 affected 17.68% of North Dakota land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to