Drought in the United States this week
59.4% of the contiguous United States is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, up 0.8 points from the week before. 81% is abnormally dry or worse, and 2% is in exceptional drought.
Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Across all fifty states and Puerto Rico together, 49.8% of the mapped area is in drought.
This week's map, by category
Percent of the contiguous US in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting.
| Category | This weekSep 15 | Last weekSep 8 | 3 months agoJun 16 | A year agoSep 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse | 81% | 81% | 72.8% | 66.4% |
| D1 to D4 Moderate or worse | 59.4% | 58.6% | 55% | 40.8% |
| D2 to D4 Severe or worse | 33.8% | 33.3% | 34.7% | 23.1% |
| D3 to D4 Extreme or worse | 12.5% | 12% | 12.2% | 6% |
| D4 Exceptional drought | 2% | 1.8% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| None | 19% | 19% | 27.2% | 33.6% |
States this week
Each state in the color of the worst category covering at least a tenth of it, with the percent of the state in drought (D1 or worse). Select a state for its counties.
The past year
Percent of the contiguous US in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
| Map | D0+ | D1+ | D2+ | D3+ | D4+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2026 | 81% | 59.4% | 33.8% | 12.5% | 2% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 81% | 58.6% | 33.3% | 12% | 1.8% |
| Sep 1, 2026 | 79.1% | 59% | 32.3% | 11.4% | 1.7% |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 77.5% | 56.6% | 31.6% | 11.8% | 1.8% |
| Aug 18, 2026 | 76.2% | 52.7% | 29.9% | 10.6% | 1.4% |
| Aug 11, 2026 | 73.6% | 50.4% | 29.5% | 10.3% | 1% |
| Aug 4, 2026 | 71% | 48.5% | 28.6% | 9.5% | 0.9% |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 67.9% | 47.9% | 28.3% | 10% | 0.9% |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 65.2% | 45.8% | 29.1% | 10.7% | 0.9% |
| Jul 14, 2026 | 65.7% | 46.5% | 29.1% | 10.7% | 1% |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 66.9% | 47.2% | 30% | 11.2% | 1% |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 67% | 47.8% | 30.7% | 10.9% | 1% |
| Jun 23, 2026 | 70% | 52.3% | 33.5% | 11.6% | 1.2% |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 72.8% | 55% | 34.7% | 12.2% | 1.3% |
| Jun 9, 2026 | 74.8% | 56.2% | 35.4% | 12.3% | 1.2% |
| Jun 2, 2026 | 77.6% | 58.4% | 37.3% | 14.6% | 1.5% |
| May 26, 2026 | 77.2% | 60.8% | 41.7% | 16.7% | 2.2% |
| May 19, 2026 | 76.1% | 62.4% | 44.5% | 20.2% | 2.5% |
| May 12, 2026 | 76.3% | 61.5% | 43.7% | 18.7% | 2.6% |
| May 5, 2026 | 75.3% | 60.9% | 43.5% | 19.1% | 2.4% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 75.4% | 61.7% | 43.8% | 19.1% | 2.4% |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 76.5% | 62.8% | 43.6% | 18.5% | 2.3% |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 77.6% | 61% | 39.9% | 15.7% | 2.2% |
| Apr 7, 2026 | 79.1% | 60% | 36.4% | 14.5% | 2% |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 80% | 59.9% | 34.7% | 14.6% | 2% |
| Mar 24, 2026 | 77.1% | 56.2% | 29.5% | 8.3% | 1% |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 75.9% | 54.8% | 25.1% | 6.9% | 0.5% |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 76.8% | 54% | 24.1% | 6.8% | 0.3% |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 77% | 54.9% | 24.7% | 6.9% | 0.4% |
| Feb 24, 2026 | 74.4% | 51.1% | 23.1% | 6.4% | 0.2% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | 73.7% | 48.6% | 22.6% | 6% | 0.1% |
| Feb 10, 2026 | 72.6% | 46.6% | 21.6% | 4.8% | 0.1% |
| Feb 3, 2026 | 70.5% | 44.5% | 19.5% | 3.6% | 0.1% |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 67.9% | 43% | 19% | 3.1% | 0.1% |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 69% | 44% | 18.9% | 3.1% | 0.1% |
| Jan 13, 2026 | 67.7% | 42.5% | 17.5% | 2.4% | 0.1% |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 70.3% | 44.8% | 15.7% | 1.9% | 0.1% |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 70% | 42.8% | 14% | 1.9% | 0.1% |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 69.2% | 41.4% | 14.1% | 2% | 0.1% |
| Dec 16, 2025 | 67.7% | 40.5% | 13.7% | 1.9% | <0.1% |
| Dec 9, 2025 | 66.2% | 40.3% | 14.9% | 1.9% | <0.1% |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 66.7% | 41.4% | 16.1% | 2.5% | 0.2% |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 67.6% | 43.1% | 17.1% | 2.8% | 0.2% |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 69.2% | 46.1% | 19.4% | 3.2% | 0.1% |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 68% | 44.4% | 19.8% | 3.7% | <0.1% |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 67.7% | 43.7% | 20.4% | 3.8% | 0.1% |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 69.2% | 43.6% | 21% | 4.2% | 0.1% |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 72.1% | 46.1% | 21.1% | 4.7% | 0.1% |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 74% | 45.6% | 22.9% | 5.4% | 0.2% |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 73% | 45% | 23.5% | 6.1% | 0.3% |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 69.8% | 43% | 23.3% | 5.6% | 0.3% |
| Sep 23, 2025 | 67.8% | 43.4% | 23.3% | 6% | 0.3% |
| Sep 16, 2025 | 66.4% | 40.8% | 23.1% | 6% | 0.3% |
Since 2000
Every weekly map since the Drought Monitor began in January 2000.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
| Year | Worst category | Most in drought | Week of | Weeks with drought |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | D4 Exceptional drought | 62.8% | Apr 21 | 37 of 37 |
| 2025 | D4 Exceptional drought | 46.1% | Nov 18 | 52 of 52 |
| 2024 | D4 Exceptional drought | 54.1% | Oct 29 | 53 of 53 |
| 2023 | D4 Exceptional drought | 46.3% | Jan 3 | 52 of 52 |
| 2022 | D4 Exceptional drought | 63% | Oct 25 | 52 of 52 |
| 2021 | D4 Exceptional drought | 55.5% | Dec 7 | 52 of 52 |
| 2020 | D4 Exceptional drought | 49.6% | Dec 22 | 52 of 52 |
| 2019 | D4 Exceptional drought | 21.9% | Jan 1 | 53 of 53 |
| 2018 | D4 Exceptional drought | 39.6% | Feb 6 | 52 of 52 |
| 2017 | D4 Exceptional drought | 26.4% | Dec 26 | 52 of 52 |
| 2016 | D4 Exceptional drought | 31.5% | Nov 29 | 52 of 52 |
| 2015 | D4 Exceptional drought | 37.8% | May 5 | 52 of 52 |
| 2014 | D4 Exceptional drought | 40.1% | May 6 | 52 of 52 |
| 2013 | D4 Exceptional drought | 61.1% | Jan 1 | 53 of 53 |
| 2012 | D4 Exceptional drought | 65.5% | Sep 25 | 52 of 52 |
| 2011 | D4 Exceptional drought | 33.2% | Nov 8 | 52 of 52 |
| 2010 | D3 Extreme drought | 23.8% | Dec 28 | 52 of 52 |
| 2009 | D4 Exceptional drought | 26.6% | Mar 24 | 52 of 52 |
| 2008 | D4 Exceptional drought | 35.7% | Jan 15 | 53 of 53 |
| 2007 | D4 Exceptional drought | 48.8% | Aug 21 | 52 of 52 |
| 2006 | D4 Exceptional drought | 50% | Jul 25 | 52 of 52 |
| 2005 | D4 Exceptional drought | 29.3% | Aug 2 | 52 of 52 |
| 2004 | D4 Exceptional drought | 46% | Jan 6 | 52 of 52 |
| 2003 | D4 Exceptional drought | 54.8% | Aug 26 | 52 of 52 |
| 2002 | D4 Exceptional drought | 54.6% | Sep 10 | 53 of 53 |
| 2001 | D4 Exceptional drought | 39.2% | Nov 20 | 52 of 52 |
| 2000 | D4 Exceptional drought | 41% | Oct 10 | 52 of 52 |
This week, region by region
The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.
Last week, there were several areas that had significant rainfall amounts. One area was over Iowa, eastern Nebraska and Kansas, and northwest Missouri, where more than 4 inches fell in central Iowa and southeastern Kansas. Another area was centered over Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, where conditions were already wet. Much of Florida and the Gulf Coast received 2 to 4 inches of precipitation in the past week. Most of the southwest U.S. received little rain, with exceptions of scattered monsoonal precipitation along the New Mexico-Arizona border. Most of Texas and Oklahoma continued to be dry, as was the majority of the western Great Plains.
Temperatures in the southern Great Plains and lower Mississippi valley continued to be very warm, in some locations over 10F above normal. Most of the rest of the continental U.S. was also above normal. The only areas with below normal temperatures for the past week were in northern New England as well as most of the northwest states.
Caribbean
In Puerto Rico, some locations did experience heavy rain over the past week, which improved drought conditions. Additional rainfall will be needed to ameliorate extreme drought conditions in the northeast as well as the central-to-southern coast.
St. Croix experienced highly variable and light rainfall this week. The NWS/NOAA station at East Hill recorded 0.13 inches. The CoCoRaHS network recorded 0.48 inch at Christiansted 1.6 E (VI-SC-10), 0.07 inch at Frederiksted 1.7 ESE (VI-SC-20) and Christiansted 6.5 W (VI-SC-23), 0.18 inch at Christiansted 1.7 SW (VI-SC-30), 0.70 inches at Frederiksted 1.9 NE (VI-SC-34) and 0.12 inch at Frederiksted 1.3 ENE (VI-SC-35). Thus, reported rainfall ranged from 0.07 to 0.80 inches, with the largest amount occurring in the Christiansted area. The groundwater conditions remained very poor. At Adventure 28 Well, the water level on September 15 was 25.85 feet, compared with 18.62 feet on September 15, 2025, indicating the water level was about 7.2 feet lower than a year earlier. These conditions indicate continued short-term extreme drought (D3-S).
This week, St. John experienced sparce rainfall although available observations are limited. The Rafe Boulon (VI-SJ-3) station at Windswept Beach recorded 0.3 inches, while the CoCoRaHS station VI-SJ-5 at Cruz Bay 1.6 E recorded 0.38 inches and station VI-SJ-10 at Cruz Bay 3.1 NNW recorded 0.5 inches. None of the stations measured over half-an-inch of rainfall. At Susannaberg DPW 3 well, the water level on September 15 was measured at 18.73 feet below the land surface, compared to12.68 feet on September 15, 2025. This 6.10-foot difference indicates the groundwater level is substantially deeper now than it was a year ago. Observations showed that the depth continued to increase from the previous week, and St. John remains in short-term extreme drought (D3-S) conditions.
St. Thomas observed significant variability in rainfall this week. While Cyril E. King Airport recorded no rainfall, CoCoRaHS station VI-ST-5 at Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW measured 1.01 inches and station VI-ST-15 at Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N recorded 0.43 inches. This shows a rainfall range of 0.00 to 1.01 inches. On September 15, groundwater levels were at 8.41 feet, up from 9.76 feet the previous week and almost equal to 8.22 feet this time last year on September 15, 2025. Despite this week's improvement in groundwater depth, 3- to 12-month precipitation indicators show large precipitation deficits remain and St. Thomas continues to experience short-term extreme drought (D3-S) conditions.
High Plains
Eastern Kansas had above normal precipitation over the past week; this led to improvement in drought conditions in this area. Eastern Nebraska and eastern South Dakota also had decent rainfall and resulting improvement to drought. Other areas of South Dakota that missed out on the rain had drought degradation. Colorado had drought degradations in the center part of the state, with drought improvements in both the southwest and southeast parts. Extreme drought continues over much of Colorado and Wyoming, western Nebraska and the Dakotas, and in eastern North Dakota. Exceptional drought is observed over much of central Colorado as well as two localized areas in far western Nebraska.
Colorado · Kansas · Nebraska · North Dakota · South Dakota · Wyoming
Midwest
Significant rainfall was observed over western Kentucky as well as over central-to-north Missouri, leading in removal of abnormally dry conditions. Heavy rain also fell in northwestern Iowa, northern Minnesota, and a band across central Wisconsin, with drought improvement as a result in these locations. Meanwhile, a mostly rain-free week in northern Illinois and Indiana caused introduction of an abnormally dry area. Extreme drought conditions can be found in southern Missouri, northern Wisconsin, and along the borders of Minnesota with both Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kentucky · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · Ohio · Wisconsin
Northeast
Northern New Jersey to Cape Cod along the coast of southern New England had a band of significant rain in the past week. Unfortunately, this rain was not where it was most needed. Much of Maine saw deteriorating drought conditions with continued dryness. An area of extreme drought was introduced along the Maine coastline, with low streamflows and well levels observed. Another area with rain falling over locations that are not abnormally dry was in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.
Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · Vermont · West Virginia
Pacific
In Alaska, areas of abnormally dry conditions were also removed based on recent rains in the southeastern part of the mainland.
Over Hawaii, rainfall from remnants and outer bands of tropical systems resulted in removal of abnormally dry conditions on the islands of Maui and Molokaʻi.
Conditions across the Marshal islands brought intermittent showers and heavy rainfall for most islands this week (September 9-15). This week, all but Utirik (1.74 inches) received over 3 inches of rain with Ailinglapalap recording 6.41 inches, Jaluit 4.13 inches, Kwajalein 5.84 inches, Majuro 3.87 inches, Mili 4.23 inches and Wotje 3.54 inches. While Utirik did receive 1.74 inches this week, it follows several weeks of below adequate precipitation demand leading to the introduction of short-term abnormal dryness (D0-S).
The Federation States of Micronesia experienced generally good rainfall this week, with most stations receiving 2-6 inches. This week, Chuuk Lagoon received 2.39 inches (1 day missing), Kapingamarangi 0.98 inches, Kosrae 2.16 inches (2 days missing), Lukunor 5.91 inches (2 days missing), Nukuoro 1.88 inches, Ulithi 3.34 inches, (2 days missing) Pohnpei 5.81 inches, Woleai 4.19 inches (1 day missing) and Yap 2.23 inches (1 day missing). Kapingamarangi remained in short-term abnormally dryness (D0-S) after at least three weeks of dryness but showed some improvement from recent rainfall. Fananu and Pingelap had no data.
American Samoa received much needed and beneficial rainfall this week after several dry weeks. This week, Pago Pago received 2.68 inches (1 day missing), Siufaga Ridge 6.56 inches and Toa Ridge 5.43 inches. Despite the abundant rainfall this week, conditions remain in short-term moderate drought conditions, though more rainfall in the weeks to come could improve those conditions.
Palau experienced another week of inadequate precipitation and remain in short-term moderate drought (D1-S). This week with both Koror and WSO Palau/Airai recorded 1.87 inches. While this week did get more precipitation, this followed 2 consecutive dry weeks.
This week, the Mariana Islands received generally adequate rainfall. Synoptic conditions favored active convection and locally heavy showers, particularly over Guam that received an average of 2.7 inches this week with Antonio B Won Pat International Airport recording 4.49 inches, Agat 3.19 recording inches and Dededo recording 3.13 inches (2 days missing). Saipan averaged over 3.18 inches this week with Saipan International Airport recording 3.41 inches and Capital Hill recording 2.95 inches this week. Rota received 2.54 inches this week with the September monthly total already surpassing the necessary 4 inches (4.52 inches). Tinian only recorded trace precipitation (0.06 inches), though there was no data for 6 of the 7 days this week. All islands remain free of dryness or drought.
South
Extremely above normal temperatures continued in this region over the past week. Nearly all locations had drought deterioration, with the exceptions of northern Arkansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and coastal Mississippi. Much of Texas and into the Ark-La-Tex area experienced flash drought conditions. In addition to the heat, these areas received little rainfall in the week. Extreme to exceptional drought conditions are noted in far south Texas, most of northern Texas into western and southern Oklahoma, northwestern and northeastern Arkansas, and along the Arkansas-Mississippi border.
Arkansas · Louisiana · Mississippi · Oklahoma · Tennessee · Texas
Southeast
Central Virginia had moderate rainfall this past week, leading to some drought improvement. Most of the Carolinas into Georgia were warm and dry, however, resulting the regional degradation of drought conditions. Florida was generally wet and had drought improvement in small areas in the north, center, and south parts of the state. Meanwhile, Alabama continued to experience above normal temperatures and limited rainfall in the central to north, leading to large areas with drought degradation. There remain some areas of extreme drought in northern North Carolina, coastal South and North Carolina, and small areas in Florida.
Alabama · Florida · Georgia · North Carolina · South Carolina · Virginia
West
An area from southwestern Oregon to central Washington into northern Idaho and Montana received some welcome rainfall during the week. The rain resulted in regional improvements in drought conditions. One location that just missed out was in northwest Washington on the Canadian border, resulting in a drought degradation, where continued low streamflows were observed. There were also areas on the California-Nevada border and central Arizona with drought degradation that also received little-to-no rainfall. Extreme drought is shown over much of central Oregon, central Utah, southern Idaho down into northern Nevada, and small areas in northern Washington and southern Arizona. Exceptional drought continues in southern Idaho, northern Nevada, and northeastern Oregon.
Arizona · California · Idaho · Montana · Nevada · New Mexico · Oregon · Utah · Washington
Looking ahead
Over the next five days leading up to next Tuesday, above normal rainfall is forecast in south Florida as well as a large area in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota into eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The latter area of forecasted rainfall continues to the east through central Michigan, the southern Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of central and southern New England. Other locations with rainfall in the forecast this week are in the Appalachian Mountains, the western Great Plains, and the Four Corners states. Unfortunately, most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are forecast to receive little rainfall. Dry conditions are also forecast in California, Nevada, and Washington. Much above normal temperatures are forecast to continue this week in the central and southern U.S.
The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 22-26, 2026) favors above normal temperatures continuing over nearly all of the continental United States. Areas most likely to be above normal are again the south into the southeast, plus the far north. Hawaii is also likely to be above normal. For precipitation, the Eastern Seaboard is likely to have above normal rainfall as is the Southwest. The central U.S. into the upper Midwest is likely to have below normal rainfall. Hawaii and Alaska are both likely to have above normal rain during this period.
Written by Lindsay Johnson, National Drought Mitigation Center; David Mocko, SSAI, NASA/GSFC.
Drought outlooks
The Climate Prediction Center's assessment of where drought will develop, persist, improve or end. Each county page shows both outlooks at that county.
The month ahead
During August, periods of storminess continued to improve drought conditions (1 to 3 class improvement) across the Tennessee Valley, and much of the East, though dryness returned to Maine. In contrast, below-average precipitation and periods of much above normal temperatures sparked (1 to 3 class) drought worsening and expansion across the upper Midwest, portions of the northern High Plains, Central and Southern Plains. Across the West, although drought improvements or degradations were noted across parts of the region, major drought covered areas were nearly unchanged. Strong El Niño conditions continue to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific, which will increasingly impact the long term patterns across the US. Across the East, favorable wet signals during the period are anticipated to continue drought reduction across much of the region. Across the upper Midwest and much of the Great Plains, persistence is expected due to lack of wet signals, with drought expansion likely in parts of those anomalously drier areas. Across the West, seasonably dry conditions will provide little opportunity for drought reduction across much of Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and eastern portions of Oregon and Washington. The exception is the coastal region of the Pacific Northwest where 1 class improvement is likely. Further inland, an anticipated continuation of enhanced monsoonal rainfall favors drought reductions/improvements across parts of the Great Basin, Four Corners states and Central Rockies.
Recent moderate drought conditions in east-central Alaska are projected to improve, whereas a small drought area in southeastern Alaska is expected to continue. Drought is neither present nor forecast for the Hawaiian Islands. Conversely, drought conditions are expected to actively expand across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to a persistently suppressed convective regime driven in part by strong El Niño conditions.
Forecaster: Yun Fan. Next issued September 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT.
The season ahead
During the past 4 weeks, the most significant changes have been observed over portions of the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, where a persistent mid-level ridge has kept conditions extremely hot and acutely dry since at least mid-summer. As of September 15, 2026, Dallas TX has received no measurable rainfall since July 15, when over 4.5 inches would normally be expected. Oklahoma City OK recorded only 0.29 inch since July 18, compared to a normal around 7 inches. At scattered locations, subnormal precipitation dates back to late June. In Wichita KS, normally over 10 inches of rain falls during June 27-September 14, but only 1.57 inches was reported this year. The dryness across this region was often accompanied by extreme heat. In Dallas TX, temperatures surpassed 100 deg F on 41 of 46 days from August through mid-September, compared to only 4 days last year. Heat has actually intensified this month over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and adjacent areas, with locations like Joplin MO and Fayetteville AR reporting higher average temperatures during the first half of September than during August. The average August temperature at Joplin MO was 83.9 deg F (nearly 5 deg F above normal) which has increased to 85.6 deg F during the first half of September (over 12 deg F above normal). Most locations from central and western Texas through northern Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, and southwestern Missouri experienced 2- to 3-category deterioration on the Drought Monitor during the last 4 weeks.
Elsewhere, lesser changes in the Drought Monitor were observed, though some isolated patches saw 2-category changes. Across some areas, high variability was observed, with areas of deterioration intermingled with improvement. Dryness and drought intensified from the central Dakotas through the northern Great Lakes, but areas of improvement were noted both north and south of this band (from northeastern Montana to north-central Minnesota; and from parts of central Wyoming and eastern Colorado through Nebraska, parts of South Dakota, and western Iowa, respectively). More areas of improvement than deterioration were noted across much of the interior West, but lesser precipitation totals farther west made deterioration more common across the Great Basin and the West Coast States. Farther east, improvement was common from central Wisconsin through central Illinois, and from the lower Northeast through much of Virginia, in addition to the Florida Peninsula, southeastern Georgia, and scattered patches across the Carolinas. Deterioration was less common along the Eastern Seaboard, restricted to central and western Georgia, parts of southern Virginia and adjacent North Carolina, and upper New England. Drought also worsened across most of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where many areas are now experiencing extreme (D3) drought. Conditions in far southeastern Alaska were essentially unchanged, with a persisting area of moderate drought.
For the forecast period extending through the end of the calendar year, the Drought Outlook calls for improvement across a considerably larger area than persistence or deterioration. Essentially, areas from the northern Great Lakes and Plains, the central Rockies, and the Great Basin to the north and west are expected to see existing areas of drought remain unchanged or intensify, with at least moderate drought expected to expand across western Montana, central Idaho, and near the Washington/Oregon border from the Cascades eastward. Across the rest of the 48 contiguous states and southeastern Alaska, existing drought coverage is expected to decline, with widespread improvement or removal forecast. This is due to either expected heavy precipitation during the last half of September (North-Central and Northeastern States), or the anticipated late autumn increase in precipitation that typically accompanies El Niño events (the southern tier of the country, plus the central Plains and Middle Atlantic Region). Across the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, however, conditions may worsen before they get better, with hot and dry conditions expected to continue into at least late September. Across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the unusually low tropical activity across the Atlantic Basin is expected to continue, causing drought there to persist or worsen. Meanwhile, the eastern tropical Pacific has been unusually active, with several tropical systems bringing heavy rain to Hawaii. This has removed all drought designations from the state. This highly active tropical season is expected to continue, so chances for drought development across Hawaii are low.
Forecaster: Richard Tinker. Next issued October 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM EDT.
- Drought persists
- Drought improves
- Drought removal likely
- Drought development likely
Drought by state
42 of 52 states and territories have at least 1% of their area in drought. Each state page lists every county. Most widespread: Maine 100%, Utah 100%, Wyoming 100%, Oklahoma 99.8%, New Mexico 97.2%.
| State | Worst category | In drought | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | D2 Severe drought | 35.8% | +7.7 |
| Alaska | D1 Moderate drought | 0.7% | 0 |
| Arizona | D3 Extreme drought | 77.2% | 0 |
| Arkansas | D4 Exceptional drought | 88.7% | −3.4 |
| California | D2 Severe drought | 22.3% | +3.5 |
| Colorado | D4 Exceptional drought | 88.2% | +0.3 |
| Connecticut | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 |
| Delaware | D1 Moderate drought | 48.8% | 0 |
| District of Columbia | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 |
| Florida | D3 Extreme drought | 54.5% | −4.2 |
| Georgia | D2 Severe drought | 27% | +3.6 |
| Hawaii | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 |
| Idaho | D4 Exceptional drought | 73.2% | −0.1 |
| Illinois | D1 Moderate drought | 0.5% | 0 |
| Indiana | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 |
| Iowa | D1 Moderate drought | 6.8% | −1.9 |
| Kansas | D3 Extreme drought | 51.6% | −3.5 |
| Kentucky | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 |
| Louisiana | D3 Extreme drought | 80.3% | −1.1 |
| Maine | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | +22.6 |
| Maryland | D1 Moderate drought | 26.9% | 0 |
| Massachusetts | D2 Severe drought | 13.2% | −1.8 |
| Michigan | D3 Extreme drought | 14.9% | 0 |
| Minnesota | D3 Extreme drought | 70.8% | 0 |
| Mississippi | D4 Exceptional drought | 67.7% | +3.5 |
| Missouri | D3 Extreme drought | 32.4% | −1.4 |
| Montana | D3 Extreme drought | 47% | −6.0 |
| Nebraska | D4 Exceptional drought | 60.3% | −1.4 |
| Nevada | D4 Exceptional drought | 91.3% | +1.8 |
| New Hampshire | D1 Moderate drought | 61.2% | +6.7 |
| New Jersey | D1 Moderate drought | 8.3% | −4.5 |
| New Mexico | D4 Exceptional drought | 97.2% | 0 |
| New York | D1 Moderate drought | 0.1% | 0 |
| North Carolina | D4 Exceptional drought | 62.6% | +1.8 |
| North Dakota | D3 Extreme drought | 65.9% | 0 |
| Ohio | None | 0% | 0 |
| Oklahoma | D4 Exceptional drought | 99.8% | 0 |
| Oregon | D4 Exceptional drought | 91.5% | −0.2 |
| Pennsylvania | D1 Moderate drought | 1.9% | 0 |
| Puerto Rico | D3 Extreme drought | 68% | −1.1 |
| Rhode Island | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | −1.1 |
| South Carolina | D3 Extreme drought | 67.3% | +1.9 |
| South Dakota | D3 Extreme drought | 69.7% | +0.8 |
| Tennessee | D2 Severe drought | 17.4% | +6.6 |
| Texas | D4 Exceptional drought | 81% | +7.1 |
| Utah | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | 0 |
| Vermont | D1 Moderate drought | 24.2% | 0 |
| Virginia | D3 Extreme drought | 34.5% | −0.6 |
| Washington | D3 Extreme drought | 69.8% | −1.8 |
| West Virginia | D1 Moderate drought | 1.1% | 0 |
| Wisconsin | D3 Extreme drought | 56.1% | −4.0 |
| Wyoming | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | 0 |
How the Drought Monitor works
- D0 Abnormally dry
- Going into or coming out of drought.
- D1 Moderate drought
- Some damage to crops and pastures; water shortages developing.
- D2 Severe drought
- Crop or pasture losses likely; water restrictions imposed.
- D3 Extreme drought
- Major crop and pasture losses; widespread water shortages.
- D4 Exceptional drought
- Exceptional and widespread losses; water emergencies.
The US Drought Monitor is drawn every week by authors at the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA, who weigh rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater, vegetation health and reports from local observers. Each map shows conditions through Tuesday morning and is released on Thursday. It shows where drought is and how bad it is; it does not forecast it. CPC's outlooks do that.
Statistics and narrative from the US Drought Monitor, courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with USDA and NOAA. Outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.