US drought

Oregon drought conditions

91.5% of Oregon is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, down 0.2 points from the week before. The worst is exceptional drought, across 3.9% of the state. 32 of 36 counties have some drought.

Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026.

In drought
91.5%
Worst category
D4 Exceptional drought
Abnormally dry or worse
98.5%
Counties with drought
32 of 36

Every countyLive radarOregon alertsOregon forecasts

This week’s map

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

US Drought Monitor map of Oregon 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 Oregon in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 7%, D1 31.4%, D2 32.3%, D3 23.9%, D4 3.9%; none 1.5%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse98.5%98.5%95.8%70.4%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse91.5%91.7%86.2%50.8%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse60.1%62.8%44.2%23.7%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse27.8%26%9.2%0.7%
D4 Exceptional drought3.9%3.9%0%0%
None1.5%1.5%4.2%29.6%

The past year

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

Percent of Oregon in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 91.5% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 98.5% 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, 202698.5%91.5%60.1%27.8%3.9%
Sep 8, 202698.5%91.7%62.8%26%3.9%
Sep 1, 202698.5%91.7%67.8%29.9%3.9%
Aug 25, 202698.5%91%67.8%29.9%3.9%
Aug 18, 202698.5%91%67.1%26.9%3.9%
Aug 11, 202698.5%91%64.7%24.8%2.1%
Aug 4, 202698.5%91%64.7%24.8%2.1%
Jul 28, 202698.5%88.3%57.6%20.3%0%
Jul 21, 202697.3%88.3%57.6%20.3%0%
Jul 14, 202697.3%88.3%57.8%20.3%0%
Jul 7, 202697.3%88.3%57.8%20.3%0%
Jun 30, 202697.3%86.6%54.5%16.1%0%
Jun 23, 202697.3%86.6%54.8%16.4%0%
Jun 16, 202695.8%86.2%44.2%9.2%0%
Jun 9, 202695.8%84.1%44.2%9.2%0%
Jun 2, 202695.8%82.8%41.7%6.6%0%
May 26, 202695.5%82.8%36%2.9%0%
May 19, 202695.5%82.6%36%2.9%0%
May 12, 202698.5%82.4%31.3%2.9%0%
May 5, 202696.4%70.6%20.2%0.2%0%
Apr 28, 202696.4%70.6%20.2%0.2%0%
Apr 21, 202696.4%70.8%29.8%0.2%0%
Apr 14, 202694%63.5%28.9%0.2%0%
Apr 7, 202694%63.5%28.9%0.2%0%
Mar 31, 202686.1%49.1%21%0.2%0%
Mar 24, 202684.8%49.1%20.2%0%0%
Mar 17, 202677.9%41.2%6.2%0%0%
Mar 10, 202677.6%34%5.8%0%0%
Mar 3, 202668.6%20.8%4.8%0%0%
Feb 24, 202668.6%19.4%4.8%0%0%
Feb 17, 202670.7%19.9%4.8%0%0%
Feb 10, 202667.4%19.9%4.8%0%0%
Feb 3, 202664.2%19.9%4.8%0%0%
Jan 27, 202648.5%17.3%4.8%0%0%
Jan 20, 202648.6%17.3%4.8%0%0%
Jan 13, 202635.2%15.8%4.7%0%0%
Jan 6, 202634.9%15.8%4.7%0%0%
Dec 30, 202559.9%16.3%5.6%0%0%
Dec 23, 202571.9%20.6%5.8%0.5%0%
Dec 16, 202575.2%23.8%6%1%0%
Dec 9, 202578.5%37%6%1%0%
Dec 2, 202574.2%31.4%6.1%1%0%
Nov 25, 202553.8%31.4%6.1%1%0%
Nov 18, 202553.8%31.4%6.1%1%0%
Nov 11, 202553.8%31.4%6.1%1%0%
Nov 4, 202553.8%31.4%11.4%1.4%0%
Oct 28, 202554.1%31.4%11.6%1.4%0%
Oct 21, 202556.3%39.2%18.1%1.4%0%
Oct 14, 202559.8%43.2%19.3%1.4%0%
Oct 7, 202559.8%43.2%19.3%1.4%0%
Sep 30, 202567.1%47.6%24.4%1.4%0%
Sep 23, 202570.4%50.9%23.7%1.4%0%
Sep 16, 202570.4%50.8%23.7%0.7%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Oregon since January 2000.

Percent of Oregon in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 91.5% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 98.5% 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 drought91.7%Sep 137 of 37
2025D3 Extreme drought60.2%Jul 2939 of 52
2024D2 Severe drought66.1%Aug 2045 of 53
2023D4 Exceptional drought78%Mar 752 of 52
2022D4 Exceptional drought90.7%Feb 2252 of 52
2021D4 Exceptional drought100%Jun 852 of 52
2020D3 Extreme drought86.4%Oct 652 of 52
2019D3 Extreme drought91.8%Jan 136 of 53
2018D3 Extreme drought98.7%Nov 2050 of 52
2017D1 Moderate drought43.4%Sep 1214 of 52
2016D3 Extreme drought77%Jan 552 of 52
2015D4 Exceptional drought100%Jul 752 of 52
2014D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 1452 of 52
2013D3 Extreme drought64.8%Aug 653 of 53
2012D3 Extreme drought38.1%Mar 652 of 52
2011D1 Moderate drought23%Dec 271 of 52
2010D2 Severe drought20.1%Mar 1648 of 52
2009D2 Severe drought30.9%Jun 252 of 52
2008D2 Severe drought41.5%Jan 853 of 53
2007D3 Extreme drought46%Sep 1840 of 52
2006D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2005D3 Extreme drought93.2%Mar 1552 of 52
2004D4 Exceptional drought55.1%Jan 652 of 52
2003D4 Exceptional drought90%Aug 552 of 52
2002D3 Extreme drought78.7%Nov 553 of 53
2001D3 Extreme drought100%Mar 2046 of 52
2000D1 Moderate drought14.9%Aug 292 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Oregon was in drought on 82% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the state the week of Sep 15, 2026.

Weeks with some drought
1,141 of 1,394 (82%)
Worst category reached
D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Sep 15, 2026
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of Oct 5, 2021
Longest spell
270 weeks, Dec 27, 2011 to Feb 21, 2017
Current spell
69 weeks, since May 27, 2025

Counties

Every county in Oregon: the worst category on this week's map, the share of it in drought, and CPC's monthly outlook at its center. Each page has the county's record since 2000.

CountyWorst categoryIn droughtChangeMonthly outlook
Baker CountyD4 Exceptional drought100%0Drought persists
Benton CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought removal likely
Clackamas CountyD2 Severe drought94.6%0Drought removal likely
Clatsop CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Columbia CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Coos CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Crook CountyD4 Exceptional drought100%0Drought persists
Curry CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Deschutes CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Douglas CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Gilliam CountyD2 Severe drought40.7%0No drought expected
Grant CountyD4 Exceptional drought100%0Drought persists
Harney CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Hood River CountyD1 Moderate drought54.9%0No drought expected
Jackson CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Jefferson CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Josephine CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Klamath CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Lake CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought persists
Lane CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Lincoln CountyD1 Moderate drought76.5%0Drought removal likely
Linn CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Malheur CountyD3 Extreme drought93.6%0Drought persists
Marion CountyD2 Severe drought99.4%0Drought removal likely
Morrow CountyD3 Extreme drought73.4%−7.3Drought persists
Multnomah CountyD1 Moderate drought36.3%0No drought expected
Polk CountyD2 Severe drought88.6%0Drought removal likely
Sherman CountyD1 Moderate drought13.4%0No drought expected
Tillamook CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Umatilla CountyD3 Extreme drought97.7%−2.3Drought persists
Union CountyD4 Exceptional drought100%0Drought persists
Wallowa CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought persists
Wasco CountyD3 Extreme drought71.7%0Drought persists
Washington CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Wheeler CountyD4 Exceptional drought100%0Drought persists
Yamhill CountyD1 Moderate drought15.2%0No drought expected

Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center's monthly drought outlook for Sep 2026, read at the center of each county. Its seasonal outlook runs through December 31; each county page has both.

  • Drought persists15 counties
  • No_Drought9 counties
  • Drought improves7 counties
  • Drought removal likely5 counties

What drought has meant in Oregon

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

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Ski season is impacted

D1 Moderate drought

  • Some fields are left fallow
  • Water levels begin to decline; recreation and other uses impacted

D2 Severe drought

  • Fire risk increases
  • Marshes are drying up, little water is available for waterfowl and wildlife; bears are moving into urban areas
  • Pastures are brown; hay yields are down and prices are up; producers are selling cattle
  • River flows are low and tributaries are running dry; conservation efforts begin in irrigation districts

D3 Extreme drought

  • Low oxygen and high river water temperatures are affecting fish
  • Planting is delayed
  • Pumping well water increases; wells are going dry; homeowners are trucking in potable water
  • Reservoirs and lakes are very low compared to normal; irrigation water is scarce
  • Waterfowl disease outbreaks increase
  • Wldfire activity is high

Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.

This week in the West

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

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.

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.

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.