US drought

Tennessee drought conditions

17.4% of Tennessee is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, up 6.6 points from the week before. The worst is severe drought, across 1.1% of the state. 37 of 95 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
17.4%
Worst category
D2 Severe drought
Abnormally dry or worse
79.3%
Counties with drought
37 of 95

Every countyLive radarTennessee alertsTennessee forecasts

Radar

Reflectivity now over Tennessee. Open it to see the Drought Monitor on the map.

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Radar mosaic and map layers from NOAA MRMS. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

This week's map, by category

Percent of Tennessee in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 62%, D1 16.3%, D2 1.1%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 20.7%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse79.3%60.8%93.9%62.6%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse17.4%10.8%74.5%45.5%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse1.1%0%30.1%26.1%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse0%0%5.8%6.6%
D4 Exceptional drought0%0%0%0%
None20.7%39.2%6.1%37.4%

The past year

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

Percent of Tennessee in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 17.4% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 79.3% 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, 202679.3%17.4%1.1%0%0%
Sep 8, 202660.8%10.8%0%0%0%
Sep 1, 202641.1%3.6%0%0%0%
Aug 25, 202619%0.9%0%0%0%
Aug 18, 202616.9%0.9%0%0%0%
Aug 11, 202616.7%1.8%<0.1%0%0%
Aug 4, 202619.4%2.9%<0.1%0%0%
Jul 28, 202622.8%4.5%<0.1%0%0%
Jul 21, 202642.8%15.1%3.6%0%0%
Jul 14, 202655%22.1%7.6%0%0%
Jul 7, 202681.6%38%12.6%0%0%
Jun 30, 202681.6%45.1%13.1%0%0%
Jun 23, 202689.7%66.7%18.4%1.7%0%
Jun 16, 202693.9%74.5%30.1%5.8%0%
Jun 9, 202697.9%74.3%34.7%6.3%0%
Jun 2, 202698.1%80%34.7%7.2%0%
May 26, 2026100%93%45.2%12.8%0%
May 19, 2026100%96.9%76.1%34.5%0%
May 12, 2026100%95.8%72.3%27.5%0%
May 5, 2026100%100%81.5%30%0%
Apr 28, 2026100%100%86.9%44.4%0%
Apr 21, 2026100%100%86.3%44%0%
Apr 14, 2026100%93.7%70.8%10.6%0%
Apr 7, 202696.3%86.4%31.2%1.1%0%
Mar 31, 202696.3%69.4%19.3%0.6%0%
Mar 24, 202685.8%62.1%14.7%0.3%0%
Mar 17, 202685.2%58.9%10.9%0.3%0%
Mar 10, 202685.2%59.6%10%0.6%0%
Mar 3, 202684.5%60.8%9.9%0.6%0%
Feb 24, 202691.2%44.4%10.9%0.6%0%
Feb 17, 202689.3%43.5%10.9%0.6%0%
Feb 10, 202689.5%61.6%22.1%0.6%0%
Feb 3, 202689.5%61.6%21.6%0%0%
Jan 27, 202689.5%61.6%21.6%0%0%
Jan 20, 202698.6%80.8%23.8%0%0%
Jan 13, 202698.6%80.3%8.6%0%0%
Jan 6, 2026100%83%11.8%0%0%
Dec 30, 202590.5%59.1%6.8%0%0%
Dec 23, 202567.5%11%0%0%0%
Dec 16, 202567.5%10.5%0%0%0%
Dec 9, 202521.7%2.6%0%0%0%
Dec 2, 202518.4%2.1%0%0%0%
Nov 25, 202518.4%3%0%0%0%
Nov 18, 202518.9%4.5%0.2%0%0%
Nov 11, 202513.1%2.1%0.2%0%0%
Nov 4, 202511.7%2.1%0.2%0%0%
Oct 28, 202530%4.3%0.5%0%0%
Oct 21, 202548.9%18.9%0.9%0%0%
Oct 14, 202550.6%33.5%1.1%0%0%
Oct 7, 202549.1%31.9%5.9%0%0%
Sep 30, 202548.2%34.3%19.6%0%0%
Sep 23, 202565%38.7%26.4%8.9%0%
Sep 16, 202562.6%45.5%26.1%6.6%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Tennessee since January 2000.

Percent of Tennessee in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 17.4% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 79.3% 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
2026D3 Extreme drought100%Apr 2137 of 37
2025D3 Extreme drought59.1%Dec 3043 of 52
2024D4 Exceptional drought94.1%Jan 949 of 53
2023D4 Exceptional drought93.6%Nov 1423 of 52
2022D3 Extreme drought95.3%Nov 2930 of 52
2021D1 Moderate drought5.5%Feb 921 of 52
2020D1 Moderate drought7.2%Dec 2212 of 52
2019D3 Extreme drought67%Oct 114 of 53
2018D2 Severe drought22.9%Jan 3019 of 52
2017D3 Extreme drought37.8%Jan 320 of 52
2016D4 Exceptional drought100%Nov 1535 of 52
2015D2 Severe drought28.6%Feb 1018 of 52
2014D1 Moderate drought7.9%Jun 1718 of 52
2013D1 Moderate drought10.3%Jan 12 of 53
2012D4 Exceptional drought83.6%Jul 335 of 52
2011D3 Extreme drought58%Feb 2235 of 52
2010D3 Extreme drought61.6%Nov 926 of 52
2009D2 Severe drought38.5%Jan 617 of 52
2008D4 Exceptional drought78.9%Sep 3053 of 53
2007D4 Exceptional drought100%Jun 2646 of 52
2006D2 Severe drought49.6%Aug 820 of 52
2005D2 Severe drought83.1%Nov 825 of 52
2004D1 Moderate drought0.6%Oct 52 of 52
2003D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2002D3 Extreme drought52.3%Sep 1035 of 53
2001D3 Extreme drought93.7%May 848 of 52
2000D4 Exceptional drought100%Oct 1752 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Tennessee was in drought on 53% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the state the week of Dec 10, 2024.

Weeks with some drought
735 of 1,394 (53%)
Worst category reached
D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Dec 10, 2024
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of May 5, 2026
Longest spell
116 weeks, Feb 13, 2007 to Apr 28, 2009
Current spell
61 weeks, since Jul 22, 2025

Counties

Every county in Tennessee: 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
Anderson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Bedford CountyD2 Severe drought94.5%+52.5No drought expected
Benton CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Bledsoe CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Blount CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Bradley CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Campbell CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Cannon CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Carroll CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Carter CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Cheatham CountyD1 Moderate drought72%0No drought expected
Chester CountyD1 Moderate drought98.3%+57.1Drought development likely
Claiborne CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Clay CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Cocke CountyD1 Moderate drought0.2%0No drought expected
Coffee CountyD1 Moderate drought5.9%+5.9No drought expected
Crockett CountyD1 Moderate drought0.4%+0.4Drought development likely
Cumberland CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Davidson CountyD1 Moderate drought59.3%0No drought expected
Decatur CountyD1 Moderate drought52.5%+52.5No drought expected
DeKalb CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Dickson CountyD1 Moderate drought10%0No drought expected
Dyer CountyD1 Moderate drought1.9%+1.9Drought development likely
Fayette CountyD1 Moderate drought67.4%0Drought development likely
Fentress CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Franklin CountyD1 Moderate drought0.9%+0.9No drought expected
Gibson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Giles CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Grainger CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Greene CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Grundy CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Hamblen CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Hamilton CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Hancock CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Hardeman CountyD1 Moderate drought96.7%0Drought development likely
Hardin CountyD1 Moderate drought79.3%+67.8No drought expected
Hawkins CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Haywood CountyD1 Moderate drought38.3%+11.5Drought development likely
Henderson CountyD1 Moderate drought27.1%+27.1Drought development likely
Henry CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Hickman CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Houston CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Humphreys CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Jackson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Jefferson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Johnson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Knox CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Lake CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Lauderdale CountyD2 Severe drought92.6%+28.5Drought persists
Lawrence CountyD1 Moderate drought7.1%+7.1No drought expected
Lewis CountyD1 Moderate drought18.6%+18.6No drought expected
Lincoln CountyD1 Moderate drought46.4%+46.4No drought expected
Loudon CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Macon CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Madison CountyD1 Moderate drought20.3%+15.4Drought development likely
Marion CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Marshall CountyD1 Moderate drought20.3%+20.3No drought expected
Maury CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
McMinn CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
McNairy CountyD1 Moderate drought100%+24.9Drought development likely
Meigs CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Monroe CountyD1 Moderate drought1.4%+1.4No drought expected
Montgomery CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Moore CountyD2 Severe drought86.3%+77.6No drought expected
Morgan CountyD1 Moderate drought6.2%0No drought expected
Obion CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Overton CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Perry CountyD1 Moderate drought24.8%+24.8No drought expected
Pickett CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Polk CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Putnam CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Rhea CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Roane CountyD1 Moderate drought9.1%0No drought expected
Robertson CountyD1 Moderate drought0.6%0No drought expected
Rutherford CountyD1 Moderate drought1.2%+1.2No drought expected
Scott CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Sequatchie CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Sevier CountyD1 Moderate drought8%0No drought expected
Shelby CountyD1 Moderate drought100%0Drought development likely
Smith CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Stewart CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Sullivan CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Sumner CountyD1 Moderate drought0.6%0No drought expected
Tipton CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Trousdale CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Unicoi CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Union CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Van Buren CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Warren CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Washington CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Wayne CountyD1 Moderate drought70.1%+70.1No drought expected
Weakley CountyNone0%0No drought expected
White CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Williamson CountyD1 Moderate drought16.9%0No drought expected
Wilson CountyD1 Moderate drought7.3%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.

  • No_Drought80 counties
  • Drought development likely14 counties
  • Drought persists1 county

What drought has meant in Tennessee

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

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Honey production is down; fewer plants are available to pollinate
  • Lake and pond levels begin to lower

D1 Moderate drought

  • Agriculture ponds dry up; farmers are hauling water; hay yield is low
  • Conditions are very dusty
  • Fire danger increases; burn bans are implemented
  • Leaves fall early
  • More insects and voles are observed, although mosquito numbers are down; disease spreads in trout, fish hatchery closes
  • Water demand is high

D2 Severe drought

  • Air quality is poor; burn bans are implemented; active wildfires are reported
  • Aquatic species die off
  • Corn is severely stressed; producers are importing hay and selling livestock
  • Streams and creeks are extremely low or dry; well levels are lowering
  • Voluntary water conservation is requested; water quality is poor

D3 Extreme drought

  • Water supply is inadequate for wildlife

D4 Exceptional drought

  • Large wildfires are reported

Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.

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.

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.