Minor rise in severe drought conditions
The November 19, 2024, U.S. Drought Monitor report highlights a nationwide reduction in drought coverage, now at 38.0%, down from 41.7% last week. However, there is a minor increase in the most severe drought categories, from 4.1% to 4.2%.
This week’s weather pattern was characterized by a distinct division, with a broad trough of low pressure over the Western States and a high-pressure ridge over the East, leading to divergent temperature and precipitation patterns.
The central United States enjoyed warmer than usual weather, while the West faced cooler temperatures and received beneficial rain and snow, particularly from California to the Great Basin.
While most of the Eastern Rockies benefitted from above-normal precipitation, regions like Florida, the western Dakotas, and parts of the Northeast remained dry.
Significant rainfall occurred in areas from New Mexico to the western Great Lakes and from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, enhancing soil moisture and aiding drought relief efforts.
Improvements were observed in the drought or abnormal dryness levels in the Pacific Northwest and other central regions, whereas the drought expanded in Montana, Texas, and parts of the Northeast.
Despite the slight growth in extreme drought areas, the overall trend indicates a positive shift, with a larger number of people experiencing reduced drought impacts.
Additional insights and forecasts related to the drought can be accessed through official sources such as NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, providing ongoing support to affected communities and sectors.