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National Current Conditions

March 15, 2023 - March 21, 2023

Spring has arrived, but the cold, wet weather continues out West (especially California). The Southern Plains are still missing out on the best precipitation, and the same is true for parts of Florida and the East Coast. As of March 21, 2023, 28.86% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico and 34.54% of the lower 48 states are in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

28.86%

of the U.S. and {{ CONUS }} of the lower 48 states are in drought this week.

Decrease of
3.5%
since last week
Decrease of
10.2%
since last month
210.8 Million

acres of crops in U.S. are experiencing drought conditions this week.

Change of
0.0%
since last week
Decrease of
5.5%
since last month
45.8 Million

people in the U.S. and {{ CONUS }} in the lower 48 states are affected by drought this week.

Decrease of
5.5%
since last week
Decrease of
14.3%
since last month
28

U.S. states are experiencing Moderate Drought (D1) or worse this week.

Increase of
1 state
since last week
Increase of
3 states
since last month

U.S. Drought Monitor

Current Drought Change in Drought
U.S. Drought Monitor Categories
Value Map Hex Color
D0 - Abnormally Dry #ffff00
D1 - Moderate Drought #ffcc99
D2 - Severe Drought #ff6600
D3 - Extreme Drought #ff0000
D4 - Exceptional Drought #660000
Classes Drought Has Degraded/Improved Since Last Week
Value Map Hex Color
-3 #ff9900
-2 #ffd438
-1 #ffff73
Value Map Hex Color
0 #cccccc
+1 #cdffd4
+2 #8ad48c

The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country, which uses a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4).

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Learn more.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4).

The USDM Change Map shows where drought has improved, remained the same, or worsened since the previous week's Drought Monitor. Learn more.

Source(s):

NDMC, NOAA, USDA
Source(s):

NDMC, NOAA, USDA
Data Valid  -  03/21/23
Data Valid  -  03/21/23

Precipitation Conditions

7-Day Total 30-Day % of Normal 60-Day % of Normal
Inches of Precipitation
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 0.01 #ffffff
0.01 - 0.5 #ffffcc
0.5 - 1 #c7e9b4
1 - 2 #7fcdbb
2 - 4 #41b6c4
4 - 6 #1d91c0
6 - 8 #225ea8
8 - #0c2c84
Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)
Range Map Hex Color
0% - 25% #8c510a
25% - 50% #bf812d
50% - 75% #dfc27d
75% - 100% #f6e8c3
Range Map Hex Color
100% - 150% #c7eae5
150% - 200% #80cdc1
200% - 300% #35978f
300% - #01665e
Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)
Range Map Hex Color
0% - 25% #8c510a
25% - 50% #bf812d
50% - 75% #dfc27d
75% - 100% #f6e8c3
Range Map Hex Color
100% - 150% #c7eae5
150% - 200% #80cdc1
200% - 300% #35978f
300% - #01665e

The current precipitation conditions show the precipitation accumulation for the last 7 days using the gridMET and NLDAS precipitation datasets. The last 30- and 60-day percentages of normal precipitation are also available, which show the difference of the last 30 or 60 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991–2020.

Precipitation data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.

The 30 day percent of normal precipitation shows the difference of the last 30 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991-2020 using the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets. 

Precipitation data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.

The 60 day percent of normal precipitation shows the difference of the last 60 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991-2020 using the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets. 

Precipitation data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.

Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Data Valid  -  03/26/23
Data Valid  -  03/26/23
Data Valid  -  03/26/23

Temperature Conditions

7-Day Average Max 7-Day Departure 30-Day Departure
Maximum Temperature (°F)
Range Map Hex Color
- 0 #05346c
0 - 10 #216cac
10 - 20 #4393c3
20 - 30 #92c5de
30 - 40 #d1e5f0
40 - 60 #ffffff
Range Map Hex Color
60 - 70 #fddbc7
70 - 80 #f4a582
80 - 90 #d6604d
90 - 100 #b2182b
100 - #69012c
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
Range Map Hex Color
- -8 #0404ff
-8 - -6 #2166ac
-6 - -4 #4393c3
-4 - -3 #92c5de
-3 - -1 #d1e5f0
-1 - 0 #ffffff
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 1 #ffffff
1 - 3 #fddbc7
3 - 4 #f4a582
4 - 6 #d6604d
6 - 8 #b2182b
8 - #800000
Departure from Normal Max Temperature (°F)
Range Map Hex Color
- -8 #0404ff
-8 - -6 #2166ac
-6 - -4 #4393c3
-4 - -3 #92c5de
-3 - -1 #d1e5f0
-1 - 0 #ffffff
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 1 #ffffff
1 - 3 #fddbc7
3 - 4 #f4a582
4 - 6 #d6604d
6 - 8 #b2182b
8 - #800000

The average maximum daily temperature (°F) for the last 7 days is shown using the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets.

The last 7-day and 30-day departures from normal temperature are also available, which show the difference of the last 7 or 30 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991–2020.

Temperature data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.

 

The 7-day departure from normal maximum temperature (°F) shows the difference of the last 7 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991–2020 using the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets. 

Temperature data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.

 

The 30-day departure from the normal maximum temperature (°F) shows the difference of the last 30 days from the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991–2020 using the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets. 

Temperature data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.

 

Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Data Valid  -  03/26/23
Data Valid  -  03/26/23
Data Valid  -  03/26/23

Multi-Indicator Drought Index (MIDI)

Short-Term Long-Term
Dry Conditions
Value Map Hex Color
D4 #730000
D3 #E60000
D2 #FFAA00
D1 #FCD37F
D0 #FFFF00
Wet Conditions
Value Map Hex Color
W0 #AAFF55
W1 #01FFFF
W2 #00AAFF
W3 #0000FF
W4 #0000AA
Dry Conditions
Value Map Hex Color
D4 #730000
D3 #E60000
D2 #FFAA00
D1 #FCD37F
D0 #FFFF00
Wet Conditions
Value Map Hex Color
W0 #AAFF55
W1 #01FFFF
W2 #00AAFF
W3 #0000FF
W4 #0000AA

The Multi-Indicator Drought Index (MIDI) looks at current drought conditions across the U.S. by integrating several key drought indices on precipitation and moisture into one objective, computer-generated map. 

The Short-Term MIDI approximates drought impacts from changes in precipitation and moisture over a short-term timeframe (looking back up to 90 days), such as impacts to non-irrigated agriculture, topsoil moisture, and range and pasture conditions. Long-term droughts (lasting months to years) can have different impacts.

This experimental map is based on methodology from the NOAA National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. Learn how this map is made.

The Multi-Indicator Drought Index (MIDI) looks at current drought conditions across the U.S. by integrating several key drought indices on precipitation and moisture into one objective, computer-generated map. 

The Long-Term MIDI approximates drought impacts from changes in precipitation and moisture over a long-term timeframe (up to 5 years), such as impacts to irrigated agriculture, groundwater, and reservoir levels. Long-term drought conditions can also increase wildfire intensity and severity.

This experimental map is based on methodology from the NOAA National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. Learn how this map is made.

Source(s):

UC Merced
Source(s):

UC Merced
Data Valid  -  03/21/23
Data Valid  -  03/21/23
Experimental Experimental

Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)

Current PDSI
Dry Conditions (Relative)
Range Map Hex Color
- -5 #730000
-5 - -4 #e60000
-4 - -3 #ffaa00
-3 - -2 #fcd37f
-2 - -1 #ffff00
Wet Conditions (Relative)
Range Map Hex Color
1 - 2 #aaff55
2 - 3 #01ffff
3 - 4 #00aaff
4 - 5 #00f
5 - #00a

This new experimental implementation of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) uses the high-resolution gridMET gridded research dataset and USDA STATSGO soils data. The PDSI is a standardized index based on a simplified soil water balance and estimates relative soil moisture conditions. The magnitude of PDSI indicates the severity of the departure from normal conditions. A PDSI value >4 represents very wet conditions, while a PDSI <-4 represents an extreme drought. This PDSI uses a new methodology for sub-monthly PDSI. 

PDSI data are updated every 5 days, with a delay of 4 to 5 days. Learn more.

Source(s):

UC Merced, Climate Engine
Data Valid  -  03/21/23
Experimental

Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI)

1 Week 4 Week
Drought Categories
Value Map Hex Color
ED4 #730000
ED3 #e60000
ED2 #ffaa00
ED1 #ffd37f
ED0 #ffff00
Wetness Categories
Value Map Hex Color
EW0 #8ccdef
EW1 #00bfff
EW2 #1d90ff
EW3 #4169e1
EW4 #0000ff

The Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI) is an experimental drought monitoring tool that can serve as an indicator of both rapidly evolving "flash" droughts and sustained droughts. It examines how anomalous the atmospheric evaporative demand (E0; also known as "the thirst of the atmosphere") is for a given location and across a time period of interest. EDDI can offer early warning of agricultural drought, hydrologic drought, and fire-weather risk.

EDDI data is updated daily. Learn more.

The Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI) is an experimental drought monitoring tool that can serve as an indicator of both rapidly evolving "flash" droughts and sustained droughts. It examines how anomalous the atmospheric evaporative demand (E0; also known as "the thirst of the atmosphere") is for a given location and across a time period of interest. EDDI can offer early warning of agricultural drought, hydrologic drought, and fire-weather risk.

EDDI data is updated daily. Learn more.

Source(s):

NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
Source(s):

NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
Data Valid  -  03/23/23
Data Valid  -  03/23/23
Experimental Experimental
Learn more about these data
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