US Drought Expands, Exceptional Level Worsens

Drought levels D0 – D4 spread to 62.42 percent of Contiguous U.S.

The West is worst affected section of the country,  with D0 – D4 drought levels covering 86.54 % of the region, up from 80.44% last week, while the Northeast experiences significant increase in D0 – D1 drought levels.

US Drought Map as of May 7, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on May 9, 2013.

U.S. Regional Drought Comparison Map. Drought has spread and intensified in the West and Northeast U.S. since last week. Image source: U.S. Drought Monitor.

U.S. Northeast Drought

• D1 drought level covered 9.81 percent of the region, up from 0.0% last week.
• Areas covered by D0 – D1 drought levels increased to 54.33%, up from 31.06%.

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Spreads to Counties in 5 States May 2, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]