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Latest Drought Update: Targeted Improvements in the East, Widespread Degradation Elsewhere
July 27, 2024 at 07:48 AM EDT
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Alyssa Robinette
An unsettled weather pattern east of the Rockies created targeted improvements to the drought depiction this week. Areas west of the Rockies were not as lucky and saw widespread degradations.
Rain varied greatly throughout the Northeast this week. Above normal rainfall occurred from central Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts as well as from southern West Virginia and northern parts of New York and New Hampshire. Here, rainfall amounts of 200 to 400-percent above normal fell. Most other areas were drier than normal, which resulted in expansion and intensification of drought.
The heavy rainfall allowed for improvements in abnormal dryness in parts of western Massachusetts and from eastern Maryland to southern New Jersey. Moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) were also improved from central Maryland to south-central Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, abnormal dryness was expanded in central New Hampshire and was also introduced in southern Maine. Moderate drought (D1) was also expanded in Ohio, with moderate to extreme drought (D1-D3) expanded in northern portions of West Virginia and western Maryland.
A stalled front led to multiple rounds of heavy rainfall in the Southeast this week. The heaviest rain fell in Alabama, North Carolina, southern Georgia and northern Florida. These areas reported amounts of 2 to 8 inches over the past week, which is about 300 to 600-percent above normal.
Widespread drought reduction and improvement occurred throughout the Southeast based on rainfall amounts, improvement to streamflow and soil moisture and other drought parameters. Most notable, improvements to drought and abnormal dryness were seen in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, southern Virginia and northern Florida. There was also removal of drought from parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia.
Generally dry weather was observed for northern areas of the South, while pockets of heavier rainfall occurred elsewhere. Central Texas and northern parts of Arkansas reported rainfall totals greater than 600-percent of normal!
Abnormal dryness was removed from northern Arkansas, while moderate to extreme drought (D1-D3) was improved across much of central Texas. There were also some improvements made to northern and eastern Texas. Conversely, moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) expanded into central Kansas, while extreme drought (D3) was expanded and exceptional drought (D4) was introduced to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
Rainfall was hit-or-miss across the Midwest this week. Eastern portions remained largely dry, resulting in the expansion and intensification. At the same time, southern portions did see some beneficial rain, allowing for some targeted improvements. Most of the Midwest though remains free of drought and abnormal dryness.
Moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) was expanded in parts of eastern and southern Ohio. Improvements to moderate drought (D1) and abnormal dryness were seen in southern Kentucky, where there was rainfall amounts up to 400-percent of normal. There were also some improvements to abnormal dryness in parts of Illinois and Indiana.
Rain fell throughout most of the High Plains this week. While it was enough to prevent large areas of degradation, it was not enough to warrant large-scale improvements. The heaviest rain was reported across much of eastern Colorado, which was up to 400-percent of normal! There were some improvements to abnormal dryness here, and moderate drought (D1) was also removed. Heavy rain occurred in eastern parts of the Dakotas, but these areas were already free of drought and abnormal dryness.
Drier weather occurred for most of the western High Plains region this week. Severe drought (D2) was added to western South Dakota and Nebraska, which also expanded in eastern Wyoming. Southwestern Nebraska saw the expansion of abnormal dryness.
Unusually hot and generally dry conditions are taking their toll on the West. Exceptional drought (D4) was introduced in western Montana, while drought also expanded across the rest of the state. Drought expansion occurred across much of Oregon and northern California, while moderate drought (D1) was introduced in northwestern Utah. There was the expansion of abnormal dryness in Nevada. Parts of Washington also saw expansion of moderate drought (D1) and abnormal dryness. Much of these areas are currently battling wildfires given the hot, dry weather.
The exception was parts of southeastern Mexico, which reported up to 6 inches of rain in spots. This resulted in the removal of exception drought (D4)! Improvements were also made to the drought categories and abnormal dryness in eastern and southern portions of the state.
Looking ahead to next week’s drought update, a stalled front will remain draped over the eastern third of the U.S. for most of the forecast period. This will result in almost daily chances for showers and thunderstorms for the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast. While nothing looks particularly heavy, targeted areas of drought improvements are likely.
Meanwhile, a large ridge of high pressure will be settled over the western two-thirds of the nation. Monsoonal moisture will flow into the Rockies, Front Range and Southeast, triggering daily showers and thunderstorms. However, largely dry and hot weather will persist. Targeted areas of drought improvement are possible for areas the see monsoonal thunderstorms, but worsening of drought is likely for much of the West, High Plains and South.
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Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Rain varied greatly throughout the Northeast this week. Above normal rainfall occurred from central Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts as well as from southern West Virginia and northern parts of New York and New Hampshire. Here, rainfall amounts of 200 to 400-percent above normal fell. Most other areas were drier than normal, which resulted in expansion and intensification of drought.
The heavy rainfall allowed for improvements in abnormal dryness in parts of western Massachusetts and from eastern Maryland to southern New Jersey. Moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) were also improved from central Maryland to south-central Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, abnormal dryness was expanded in central New Hampshire and was also introduced in southern Maine. Moderate drought (D1) was also expanded in Ohio, with moderate to extreme drought (D1-D3) expanded in northern portions of West Virginia and western Maryland.
A stalled front led to multiple rounds of heavy rainfall in the Southeast this week. The heaviest rain fell in Alabama, North Carolina, southern Georgia and northern Florida. These areas reported amounts of 2 to 8 inches over the past week, which is about 300 to 600-percent above normal.
Widespread drought reduction and improvement occurred throughout the Southeast based on rainfall amounts, improvement to streamflow and soil moisture and other drought parameters. Most notable, improvements to drought and abnormal dryness were seen in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, southern Virginia and northern Florida. There was also removal of drought from parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia.
Generally dry weather was observed for northern areas of the South, while pockets of heavier rainfall occurred elsewhere. Central Texas and northern parts of Arkansas reported rainfall totals greater than 600-percent of normal!
Abnormal dryness was removed from northern Arkansas, while moderate to extreme drought (D1-D3) was improved across much of central Texas. There were also some improvements made to northern and eastern Texas. Conversely, moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) expanded into central Kansas, while extreme drought (D3) was expanded and exceptional drought (D4) was introduced to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
Rainfall was hit-or-miss across the Midwest this week. Eastern portions remained largely dry, resulting in the expansion and intensification. At the same time, southern portions did see some beneficial rain, allowing for some targeted improvements. Most of the Midwest though remains free of drought and abnormal dryness.
Moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) was expanded in parts of eastern and southern Ohio. Improvements to moderate drought (D1) and abnormal dryness were seen in southern Kentucky, where there was rainfall amounts up to 400-percent of normal. There were also some improvements to abnormal dryness in parts of Illinois and Indiana.
Rain fell throughout most of the High Plains this week. While it was enough to prevent large areas of degradation, it was not enough to warrant large-scale improvements. The heaviest rain was reported across much of eastern Colorado, which was up to 400-percent of normal! There were some improvements to abnormal dryness here, and moderate drought (D1) was also removed. Heavy rain occurred in eastern parts of the Dakotas, but these areas were already free of drought and abnormal dryness.
Drier weather occurred for most of the western High Plains region this week. Severe drought (D2) was added to western South Dakota and Nebraska, which also expanded in eastern Wyoming. Southwestern Nebraska saw the expansion of abnormal dryness.
Unusually hot and generally dry conditions are taking their toll on the West. Exceptional drought (D4) was introduced in western Montana, while drought also expanded across the rest of the state. Drought expansion occurred across much of Oregon and northern California, while moderate drought (D1) was introduced in northwestern Utah. There was the expansion of abnormal dryness in Nevada. Parts of Washington also saw expansion of moderate drought (D1) and abnormal dryness. Much of these areas are currently battling wildfires given the hot, dry weather.
The exception was parts of southeastern Mexico, which reported up to 6 inches of rain in spots. This resulted in the removal of exception drought (D4)! Improvements were also made to the drought categories and abnormal dryness in eastern and southern portions of the state.
Looking ahead to next week’s drought update, a stalled front will remain draped over the eastern third of the U.S. for most of the forecast period. This will result in almost daily chances for showers and thunderstorms for the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast. While nothing looks particularly heavy, targeted areas of drought improvements are likely.
Meanwhile, a large ridge of high pressure will be settled over the western two-thirds of the nation. Monsoonal moisture will flow into the Rockies, Front Range and Southeast, triggering daily showers and thunderstorms. However, largely dry and hot weather will persist. Targeted areas of drought improvement are possible for areas the see monsoonal thunderstorms, but worsening of drought is likely for much of the West, High Plains and South.
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Source: U.S. Drought Monitor