Is Martin County in a drought?
D2 Severe drought
Yes. 59.5% of Martin County is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, the worst of it severe drought (D2) across 23.2% of the county. That is unchanged from a week earlier. It has been in drought since the week of Nov 18, 2025.
Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Statewide, 54.5% of Florida is in drought.
Radar
Reflectivity now over Martin County, Florida. Open it to see the Drought Monitor on the map.























Radar mosaic and map layers from NOAA MRMS. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
This week's map, by category
Percent of Martin County in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 37.9%, D1 36.3%, D2 23.2%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 2.7%.
| Category | This weekSep 15 | Last weekSep 8 | 3 months agoJun 16 | A year agoSep 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse | 97.3% | 97.3% | 100% | 97.7% |
| D1 to D4 Moderate or worse | 59.5% | 59.5% | 95.7% | 33.5% |
| D2 to D4 Severe or worse | 23.2% | 23.2% | 50.9% | 0% |
| D3 to D4 Extreme or worse | 0% | 0% | 1.7% | 0% |
| D4 Exceptional drought | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| None | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0% | 2.3% |
The past year
Percent of Martin County 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 | 97.3% | 59.5% | 23.2% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 97.3% | 59.5% | 23.2% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 1, 2026 | 97.3% | 59.5% | 23.2% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 97.3% | 59.5% | 42.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 18, 2026 | 97.3% | 58.7% | 42.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 11, 2026 | 97.3% | 58.7% | 42.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 4, 2026 | 97.3% | 58.4% | 42.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 100% | 58.4% | 42.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 100% | 58.4% | 42.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 14, 2026 | 100% | 56.3% | 42.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 100% | 56.3% | 42.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 100% | 71.9% | 50.9% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Jun 23, 2026 | 100% | 71.9% | 50.9% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 100% | 95.7% | 50.9% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Jun 9, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 50.6% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Jun 2, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 99.2% | 50.8% | 0% |
| May 26, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 99.2% | 50.8% | 0% |
| May 19, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 99.2% | 50.8% | 0% |
| May 12, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50.8% | 0% |
| May 5, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50.8% | 0% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 41% | 0% |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 41% | 0% |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 41% | 0% |
| Apr 7, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Mar 24, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Feb 24, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| Feb 10, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 61.4% | 0% |
| Feb 3, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 70.7% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 13, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 100% | 96% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 96.2% | 96% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 95.4% | 59.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 16, 2025 | 95.4% | 31.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 9, 2025 | 70.9% | 31% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 64.5% | 30.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 56.8% | 30.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 55% | 30.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 52.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 52% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 52% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 52% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 52% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 97.7% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 97.7% | 27.9% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 23, 2025 | 97.7% | 27.9% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 16, 2025 | 97.7% | 33.5% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Since 2000
Every weekly map of Martin County since 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 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 13 | 37 of 37 |
| 2025 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Apr 29 | 38 of 52 |
| 2024 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Apr 30 | 7 of 53 |
| 2023 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Feb 28 | 11 of 52 |
| 2022 | D2 Severe drought | 89.8% | Apr 26 | 15 of 52 |
| 2021 | D1 Moderate drought | 18.6% | Jun 1 | 5 of 52 |
| 2020 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Mar 31 | 4 of 52 |
| 2019 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 1 | 7 of 53 |
| 2018 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Dec 11 | 10 of 52 |
| 2017 | D3 Extreme drought | 99.9% | Feb 14 | 17 of 52 |
| 2016 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2015 | D1 Moderate drought | 97.5% | Jul 21 | 5 of 52 |
| 2014 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2013 | D1 Moderate drought | 1.8% | Apr 2 | 3 of 53 |
| 2012 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Apr 10 | 18 of 52 |
| 2011 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 4 | 41 of 52 |
| 2010 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Nov 23 | 11 of 52 |
| 2009 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Feb 24 | 20 of 52 |
| 2008 | D2 Severe drought | 42.7% | May 20 | 33 of 53 |
| 2007 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Mar 13 | 52 of 52 |
| 2006 | D1 Moderate drought | 97.7% | Dec 12 | 12 of 52 |
| 2005 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2004 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Jun 1 | 1 of 52 |
| 2003 | None | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2002 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 53 | |
| 2001 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 2 | 31 of 52 |
| 2000 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | May 30 | 29 of 52 |
Drought history since 2000
Some part of Martin County was in drought on 29% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the county the week of Jun 28, 2011.
- Weeks with some drought
- 407 of 1,394 (29%)
- Worst category reached
- D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Jun 28, 2011
- Most widespread
- 100% in drought, week of Jun 9, 2026
- Longest spell
- 94 weeks, Oct 31, 2006 to Aug 12, 2008
- Current spell
- 44 weeks, since Nov 18, 2025
Outlook
The Climate Prediction Center's drought outlooks at the center of Martin County: whether drought is expected to develop, persist, improve or end.
- Monthly outlook, Sep 2026
- Drought removal likely
- Seasonal outlook, through December 31 (issued Sep 17)
- Drought removal likely
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 Florida
The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Florida at each level of drought, starting with this week's worst here.
D2 Severe drought This week
- Air and water quality are poor; water salinity is high; river and lake levels are low
- Bears and snakes change food and water habitats
- Large increase of wildfire abundance; fire danger is elevated; burn bans are implemented
- Lawns and landscapes go dormant
- Pasture is drying, hay yields are low
D0 Abnormally dry
- Increased landscape irrigation is needed; voluntary water conservation is requested
- Small brush fires increase
D1 Moderate drought
- Burn bans are possible
- Trees and bushes begin browning
- Water supply decreases
D3 Extreme drought
- Fire danger is extreme; fire restrictions increase
- Fish kills occur; toxic algae blooms appear
- Ground water declines; Lake Okeechobee is extremely low
- Nesting bird populations grow with increased nesting area; mosquitoes increase
- Saltwater species replace freshwater species; sea intrusion
D4 Exceptional drought
- Ground water declines rapidly
- Large municipalities use alternative water sources, borrow water
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. Martin County'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 county'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 Southeast
The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.
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.
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 counties bordering Martin County, 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.