Alaska drought

Is Bristol Bay Borough in a drought?

No drought

No. Bristol Bay Borough has no drought and no abnormally dry areas on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026. It was last in drought the week of Sep 10, 2019.

Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Statewide, 0.7% of Alaska is in drought.

Bristol Bay Borough forecastWeather alertsLive radar here

This week’s map

The Drought Monitor for Alaska, valid Sep 15, 2026. County lines are drawn in; the categories are the same as the national map.

US Drought Monitor map of Alaska for Sep 15, 2026, shaded D0 abnormally dry through D4 exceptional drought
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought

Open the live map with the Drought Monitor

Map courtesy of the US Drought Monitor, NDMC-UNL, with USDA and NOAA. Original at droughtmonitor.unl.edu

This week's map, by category

Percent of Bristol Bay Borough in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 0%, D1 0%, D2 0%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 100%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse0%0%0%0%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse0%0%0%0%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse0%0%0%0%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse0%0%0%0%
D4 Exceptional drought0%0%0%0%
None100%100%100%100%

The past year

Percent of Bristol Bay Borough in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.

Percent of Bristol Bay Borough in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 0% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 0% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%OctNovDec2026FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
MapD0+D1+D2+D3+D4+
Sep 15, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Sep 8, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Sep 1, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Aug 25, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Aug 18, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Aug 11, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Aug 4, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jul 28, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jul 21, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jul 14, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jul 7, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jun 30, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jun 23, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jun 16, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jun 9, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jun 2, 20260%0%0%0%0%
May 26, 20260%0%0%0%0%
May 19, 20260%0%0%0%0%
May 12, 20260%0%0%0%0%
May 5, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Apr 28, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Apr 21, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Apr 14, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Apr 7, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Mar 31, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Mar 24, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Mar 17, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Mar 10, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Mar 3, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Feb 24, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Feb 17, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Feb 10, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Feb 3, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jan 27, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jan 20, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jan 13, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Jan 6, 20260%0%0%0%0%
Dec 30, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Dec 23, 202594.4%0%0%0%0%
Dec 16, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Dec 9, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Dec 2, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Nov 25, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Nov 18, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Nov 11, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Nov 4, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Oct 28, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Oct 21, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Oct 14, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Oct 7, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Sep 30, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Sep 23, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Sep 16, 20250%0%0%0%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Bristol Bay Borough since January 2000.

Percent of Bristol Bay Borough in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 0% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 0% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%200420082012201620202024
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
YearWorst categoryMost in droughtWeek ofWeeks with drought
2026None0%0 of 37
2025D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2024None0%0 of 53
2023None0%0 of 52
2022D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2021None0%0 of 52
2020D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2019D1 Moderate drought100%Aug 273 of 53
2018None0%0 of 52
2017D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2016None0%0 of 52
2015None0%0 of 52
2014None0%0 of 52
2013None0%0 of 53
2012None0%0 of 52
2011D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2010D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2009None0%0 of 52
2008None0%0 of 53
2007D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2006None0%0 of 52
2005None0%0 of 52
2004None0%0 of 52
2003D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2002D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 53
2001None0%0 of 52
2000D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Bristol Bay Borough was in drought on 0% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000.

Weeks with some drought
3 of 1,394 (0%)
Worst category reached
D1 Moderate drought, last the week of Sep 10, 2019
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of Sep 10, 2019
Longest spell
3 weeks, Aug 27, 2019 to Sep 10, 2019
Last in drought
Week of Sep 10, 2019

Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center's drought outlooks at the center of Bristol Bay Borough: whether drought is expected to develop, persist, improve or end.

Monthly outlook, Sep 2026
No drought expected
Seasonal outlook, through December 31 (issued Sep 17)
No drought expected

The monthly outlook is issued on the last day of each month, the seasonal one on the third Thursday. CPC's discussion.

What drought has meant in Alaska

The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Alaska at each level of drought.

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Hydropower conservation efforts to mitigate economic impacts
  • Some lingering water deficits

D1 Moderate drought

  • Fish hatcheries affected, increased wildlife interactions
  • Increased threat to forest health (pest/insect)
  • Recreation and fish migrations affected by low stream
  • Reservoirs/hydropower limitations; wells low; water shortages imminent (voluntary water-use restrictions)

D2 Severe drought

  • Drinking water shortages common
  • Fish kills (low flow, high water temps)
  • Significant reduced hydropower generation
  • Water-use restrictions imposed (seafood processing plants, watering plants)

D3 Extreme drought

  • Drought emergency declaration
  • No hydropower generation
  • Widespread fish kills
  • Widespread water shortages or restrictions

D4 Exceptional drought

  • Drought disaster declaration
  • Shortages of water in streams and wells creating water emergencies
  • Widespread no hydropower generation

Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.

Burn bans and water restrictions

The Drought Monitor does not issue burn bans or water restrictions. Bristol Bay Borough's officials, the state forestry or fire agency, and local water utilities set them, often once drought reaches D2 or dry fuels raise the fire danger. Check the borough's emergency management office or fire marshal for a ban in force, and the alerts page for red flag warnings and fire weather watches.

This week in the Pacific

The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.

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.

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. The national narrative.

What this means

The five categories the Drought Monitor draws, and how the map is made.

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.

Nearby

The boroughs bordering Bristol Bay Borough, with the worst category on this week's map.

Sources

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. Impacts from NDMC's State Impacts tool.