Drought conditions worsen in portions of U.S.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the United States, specifically the western half, is experiencing severe drought conditions. All of Nevada, Utah and New Mexico are in drought. Close behind are Arizona at 98.9% and Colorado at 98.6%. The “exceptional drought” area includes parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, California and Texas.

West

Dry conditions dominated areas from California to New Mexico with just a few pockets of above-normal precipitation over central Colorado, central Wyoming, the Pacific Northwest, and northern Montana. Much of California is enduring its second consecutive dry winter, with most areas below 75% of normal snowpack for this time of year. Many water agencies were discussing water conservation measures, with the North Marin Water District considering both voluntary and mandatory water conservation orders.

Moderate drought was expanded over areas of southern California where drought is beginning to develop again after a fairly dry winter. Eastern Montana conditions continued to deteriorate with an expansion of moderate and severe drought this week. A recent winter storm in and around the Denver metro area and areas to the west allowed for improvements to the extreme drought conditions there as snow totals for the current water year were up over 100%.

Southeast

Drier than normal conditions dominated much of the Southeast region, with only a few areas of southern Alabama, southern Georgia and northern Florida recording near normal or slightly above normal precipitation for the week. In southern Alabama, abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions were expanded this week and abnormally dry conditions were expanded in northern Alabama and into Georgia. As the region remains dry and temperatures increase, many areas will need to be monitored for degradation.

Midwest

Some areas of the Midwest, including areas in northern Missouri, Iowa, northern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin and from northern Illinois into Michigan, are still holding on to drought and dryness from last fall and will continue to be monitored as we go into spring. Moderate drought was expanded over northern Minnesota.

High Plains

In the High Plains, dry conditions dominated the region, with only portions of central South Dakota, central and eastern North Dakota, portions of the High Plains in eastern Colorado and central Wyoming recording above-normal precipitation. Improvements were made in north central Wyoming, where areas of extreme and severe drought were showing a good snow season to allow for a reduction in drought intensity. Severe drought was expanded in far northeast North Dakota and into far northwest Minnesota.