Oklahoma drought

Is Caddo County in a drought?

D4 Exceptional drought

Yes. All of Caddo County is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, the worst of it exceptional drought (D4) across 0.3% of the county. That is unchanged from a week earlier. It has been in drought since the week of Nov 4, 2025.

Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Statewide, 99.8% of Oklahoma is in drought.

Caddo County forecastWeather alertsLive radar here

This week’s map

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

US Drought Monitor map of Oklahoma 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 Caddo County 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 99.7%, D4 0.3%; none 0%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse100%100%100%55.7%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse100%100%100%0%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse100%100%93.4%0%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse100%100%52.3%0%
D4 Exceptional drought0.3%0.3%1%0%
None0%0%0%44.3%

The past year

Percent of Caddo County in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.

Percent of Caddo County in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 100% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 100% 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, 2026100%100%100%100%0.3%
Sep 8, 2026100%100%100%100%0.3%
Sep 1, 2026100%100%100%100%0.3%
Aug 25, 2026100%100%100%100%0.3%
Aug 18, 2026100%100%100%100%0.1%
Aug 11, 2026100%100%100%62.1%0%
Aug 4, 2026100%100%99.8%41.8%0%
Jul 28, 2026100%99.9%90.4%32%0%
Jul 21, 2026100%99.9%90.4%32%0%
Jul 14, 2026100%99.9%90.4%32%0%
Jul 7, 2026100%99.9%90.4%32%0%
Jun 30, 2026100%99.9%90.4%32%0%
Jun 23, 2026100%99.9%93.4%52.3%1%
Jun 16, 2026100%100%93.4%52.3%1%
Jun 9, 2026100%100%93.4%52.3%1%
Jun 2, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%15.5%
May 26, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%0%
May 19, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%0%
May 12, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%0%
May 5, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%0%
Apr 28, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%0%
Apr 21, 2026100%100%99.9%93.3%0%
Apr 14, 2026100%100%100%99.9%0%
Apr 7, 2026100%100%100%99.9%0%
Mar 31, 2026100%100%100%100%0%
Mar 24, 2026100%100%100%99.4%0%
Mar 17, 2026100%100%100%21.6%0%
Mar 10, 2026100%100%100%21.6%0%
Mar 3, 2026100%100%100%3.9%0%
Feb 24, 2026100%100%6.2%0%0%
Feb 17, 2026100%100%6.2%0%0%
Feb 10, 2026100%100%6.2%0%0%
Feb 3, 2026100%100%3.1%0%0%
Jan 27, 2026100%100%3.1%0%0%
Jan 20, 2026100%100%3.1%0%0%
Jan 13, 2026100%100%3.1%0%0%
Jan 6, 2026100%100%3.1%0%0%
Dec 30, 2025100%100%0%0%0%
Dec 23, 2025100%100%0%0%0%
Dec 16, 2025100%66.4%0%0%0%
Dec 9, 2025100%66.4%0%0%0%
Dec 2, 2025100%66.4%0%0%0%
Nov 25, 2025100%66.4%0%0%0%
Nov 18, 2025100%66.4%0%0%0%
Nov 11, 202552.9%52.8%0%0%0%
Nov 4, 202552.8%0.4%0%0%0%
Oct 28, 202553.3%0%0%0%0%
Oct 21, 202553.5%0%0%0%0%
Oct 14, 20250%0%0%0%0%
Oct 7, 2025<0.1%0%0%0%0%
Sep 30, 2025<0.1%0%0%0%0%
Sep 23, 2025<0.1%0%0%0%0%
Sep 16, 202555.7%0%0%0%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Caddo County since January 2000.

Percent of Caddo County in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 100% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 100% 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
2026D4 Exceptional drought100%Jan 637 of 37
2025D1 Moderate drought100%Dec 2321 of 52
2024D3 Extreme drought100%Aug 629 of 53
2023D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 346 of 52
2022D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 448 of 52
2021D3 Extreme drought100%Nov 3033 of 52
2020D3 Extreme drought54.4%Jul 1428 of 52
2019D2 Severe drought99.8%Aug 2022 of 53
2018D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 1638 of 52
2017D1 Moderate drought100%Jan 1017 of 52
2016D1 Moderate drought99.5%Nov 2910 of 52
2015D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 628 of 52
2014D3 Extreme drought100%Feb 2552 of 52
2013D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 153 of 53
2012D4 Exceptional drought100%Jan 340 of 52
2011D4 Exceptional drought100%Feb 151 of 52
2010D1 Moderate drought74.9%Aug 2411 of 52
2009D2 Severe drought100%Feb 321 of 52
2008D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 53
2007D2 Severe drought36.4%Jan 212 of 52
2006D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 345 of 52
2005D2 Severe drought100%May 1013 of 52
2004D2 Severe drought100%Jun 84 of 52
2003D2 Severe drought100%Jul 2221 of 52
2002D2 Severe drought91.3%Jan 117 of 53
2001D2 Severe drought100%Jul 1020 of 52
2000D2 Severe drought100%Sep 127 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Caddo County was in drought on 52% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the county the week of Sep 15, 2026.

Weeks with some drought
724 of 1,394 (52%)
Worst category reached
D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Sep 15, 2026
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of Sep 15, 2026
Longest spell
152 weeks, Jun 26, 2012 to May 19, 2015
Current spell
46 weeks, since Nov 4, 2025

Outlook

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

Monthly outlook, Sep 2026
Drought persists
Seasonal outlook, through December 31 (issued Sep 17)
Drought remains but improves

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 Oklahoma

The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Oklahoma at each level of drought, starting with this week's worst here.

D4 Exceptional drought This week

  • Burn restrictions increase
  • Cost of hay and water is high and supplies are scarce; producers are liquidating herds
  • Fire season is long; rural fire departments are running out of finances
  • Ground is cracking; farmers are bailing failed crops or abandoning fields; pastures are bare; land is abandoned
  • Ranchers and farmers are desperate and experiencing huge economic loss
  • Water lines are breaking; reservoir levels are nearing intake; mandatory water restrictions are implemented; water quality is poor

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Crops are stressed (wheat, canola, alfalfa, pecans); winter wheat germination is delayed
  • Stock pond levels decline

D1 Moderate drought

  • Lake recreation activities are affected; deer reproduction is poor
  • Seasonal creek and rainfed pond levels are lowering
  • Summer crop and forage yields are reduced
  • Wildfire risk increases

D2 Severe drought

  • Burn bans begin
  • Cattle are stressed
  • Dryland crops are severely reduced; pasture growth is stunted
  • Springfed ponds are slow to refill
  • Trees show significant wilting

D3 Extreme drought

  • Air quality is poor, with dust storms and smoke
  • Cattle have little water and feed
  • Fishing is down; boating is hazardous with low lake levels; game bird populations decline
  • Grasses are dormant and hay is nonexistent; planting is delayed; fields are spotty; emergency CRP grazing is authorized
  • Lakes are critically low; producers are hauling water for cattle; wells are drying
  • Wildfires are increasing in number and severity

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. Caddo 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 South

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

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.

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 Caddo 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.