Latest Drought Update: Progress! | WeatherBug
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Latest Drought Update: Progress!

June 10, 2021
By WeatherBug's Ali Husain
Extensive rainfall and milder temperatures reduced the percentage of the U.S. that is experiencing drought.

In the last week, the amount of the U.S. that faces dryness and drought dropped by 0.78 percent, from 47.18 percent to 46.40 percent.

The abnormal dryness the Floridian Panhandle was experiencing has melted away, while the extreme and exceptional drought in the northern Plains receded a minimal amount.

No changes for the West, as the exceptional drought that plagues the Desert Southwest continues to provide the looming threat of an active fire season.

Dryness in the upper Midwest has also abated slightly, with the recent rainfall moistening the lands of Iowa and southern Minnesota.

The severe weather that has been inundating the northern Tier the past several days will likely reduce the severity of the drought they’ve been facing and will show up on the drought monitor next week.

Unfortunately, the week ahead doesn’t seem to look too kindly on the drought-stricken areas of the U.S. Another heat wave looks to park itself over the Desert Southwest, with no rain in sight. Another round of extreme heat coupled with little to no moisture will only exacerbate the drought, bringing even more fire threat to lands already under red flag warnings.

Rain will continue to fall on the South and Mid-Atlantic, keeping the moister parts of the country free from any dryness.

Heavy rainfall has been inundating the grounds of eastern Texas for the past few weeks, but the week ahead seems to bring an abrupt end to the moisture. As a heat wave settles over the Western parts of the country, the Lone Star State and southern Plains will be a place to watch for increasing drought conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor