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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Oregon

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 Oregon 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 Oregon. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Ski season is impacted
91.5
of OR
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Some fields are left fallow
  • Water levels begin to decline; recreation and other uses are impacted
73.3
of OR
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Pastures are brown; hay yields are down, and prices are up; producers are selling cattle
  • Fire risk increases
  • Marshes are drying up, little water is available for waterfowl and wildlife; bears are moving into urban areas
33.5
of OR
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Planting is delayed
  • Wildfire activity is high
  • Reservoirs and lakes are very low compared to normal; irrigation water is scarce
7.2
of OR
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Power generation is reduced
1.4
of OR
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Ski season is impacted
91.7
of OR
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Some fields are left fallow
  • Water levels begin to decline; recreation and other uses are impacted
77.3
of OR
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Pastures are brown; hay yields are down and prices are up; producers are selling cattle
  • Fire risk increases
  • Marshes are drying up, little water is available for waterfowl and wildlife; bears are moving into urban areas
37.7
of OR
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Planting is delayed
  • Wildfire activity is high
  • Reservoirs and lakes are very low compared to normal; irrigation water is scarce
13.5
of OR
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Power generation is reduced
1.4
of OR
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Ski season is impacted
92.1
of OR
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Some fields are left fallow
  • Water levels begin to decline; recreation and other uses are impacted
77.2
of OR
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Pastures are brown; hay yields are down and prices are up; producers are selling cattle
  • Fire risk increases
  • Marshes are drying up, little water is available for waterfowl and wildlife; bears are moving into urban areas
38.8
of OR
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Planting is delayed
  • Wildfire activity is high
  • Reservoirs and lakes are very low compared to normal; irrigation water is scarce
14.5
of OR
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Power generation is reduced
1.4
of OR
(D4)
1,709,720
people in Oregon are affected by drought
23
counties with USDA disaster designations
23rd
driest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
23rd
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 Oregon from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Oregon lasted 270 weeks beginning on December 27, 2011, and ending on February 21, 2017. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 31, 2021, where D4 affected 26.59% of Oregon 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