Is Cache County in a drought?
D3 Extreme drought
Yes. All of Cache County is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, the worst of it extreme drought (D3) across 0.3% of the county. That is unchanged from a week earlier. It has been in drought since the week of Jun 17, 2025.
Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Statewide, 100% of Utah is in drought.
Radar
Reflectivity now over Cache County, Utah. 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 Cache County in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 0%, D1 60%, D2 39.6%, D3 0.3%, D4 0%; none 0%.
| Category | This weekSep 15 | Last weekSep 8 | 3 months agoJun 16 | A year agoSep 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| D1 to D4 Moderate or worse | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| D2 to D4 Severe or worse | 40% | 40.1% | 40.1% | 48.5% |
| D3 to D4 Extreme or worse | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0% |
| D4 Exceptional drought | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| None | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
The past year
Percent of Cache 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 | 100% | 100% | 40% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Sep 1, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Aug 18, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Aug 11, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Aug 4, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jul 14, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jun 23, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.3% | 0% |
| Jun 9, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.2% | 0% |
| Jun 2, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.2% | 0% |
| May 26, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 40.1% | 0.2% | 0% |
| May 19, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 68.6% | 0% | 0% |
| May 12, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 68.6% | 0% | 0% |
| May 5, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 68.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 68.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 62% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 24.7% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 7, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 24.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 24.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 24, 2026 | 100% | 81.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 100% | 81.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 100% | 80.8% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 100% | 80.8% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 24, 2026 | 100% | 80.8% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | 100% | 80.8% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 10, 2026 | 100% | 76.3% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 3, 2026 | 100% | 76.3% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 100% | 76.3% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 100% | 76.4% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 13, 2026 | 100% | 76.4% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 16, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 9, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 23, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 16, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 48.5% | 0% | 0% |
Since 2000
Every weekly map of Cache 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 6 | 37 of 37 |
| 2025 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jul 1 | 44 of 52 |
| 2024 | D1 Moderate drought | 59.1% | Oct 15 | 12 of 53 |
| 2023 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 3 | 13 of 52 |
| 2022 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 4 | 52 of 52 |
| 2021 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 5 | 52 of 52 |
| 2020 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | May 19 | 33 of 52 |
| 2019 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 1 | 15 of 53 |
| 2018 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jul 31 | 48 of 52 |
| 2017 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2016 | D1 Moderate drought | 3.5% | Jan 5 | 17 of 52 |
| 2015 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Mar 24 | 41 of 52 |
| 2014 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 7 | 13 of 52 |
| 2013 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 1 | 53 of 53 |
| 2012 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Aug 21 | 44 of 52 |
| 2011 | None | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2010 | D1 Moderate drought | 89% | Sep 28 | 22 of 52 |
| 2009 | D1 Moderate drought | 2.3% | May 12 | 4 of 52 |
| 2008 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 1 | 21 of 53 |
| 2007 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Mar 27 | 40 of 52 |
| 2006 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2005 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 4 | 33 of 52 |
| 2004 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 6 | 52 of 52 |
| 2003 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 7 | 52 of 52 |
| 2002 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 1 | 53 of 53 |
| 2001 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jun 12 | 39 of 52 |
| 2000 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jul 4 | 15 of 52 |
Drought history since 2000
Some part of Cache County was in drought on 58% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the county the week of Oct 12, 2021.
- Weeks with some drought
- 805 of 1,394 (58%)
- Worst category reached
- D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Oct 12, 2021
- Most widespread
- 100% in drought, week of Sep 15, 2026
- Longest spell
- 229 weeks, Apr 3, 2001 to Aug 16, 2005
- Current spell
- 66 weeks, since Jun 17, 2025
Outlook
The Climate Prediction Center's drought outlooks at the center of Cache 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 persists
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 Utah
The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Utah at each level of drought, starting with this week's worst here.
D3 Extreme drought This week
- Fire danger increases; fire bans on public land are implemented
- Native vegetation is stressed
- Streamflow is low
D0 Abnormally dry
- Dryland crops are struggling
- Water for cattle is limited
D1 Moderate drought
- Feed for cattle is limited
- Soil moisture is low; winter wheat germination is poor
- Springs are drying
D2 Severe drought
- Air quality is poor, dust is a problem
- Pasture and water is inadequate for cattle; ranching management practices change
- People pray for snow
- Streams and ponds are dry
D4 Exceptional drought
- Fire restrictions increase
- Irrigation water allotments are cut
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. Cache 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 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.
Nearby
The counties bordering Cache 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.