U.S. Drought Expands for 5th Straight Week

Drought persists in West, High Plains

“Moderate” to “Exceptional” drought areas (designated D1 to D4 on the chart) in lower 48 expanded to 46.13 percent, up from 44.85 percent a week ago, according to the US Drought Monitor.

• D1 to D4 drought areas in the South covered about 60.32 percent of the region, up from 54.97 percent a week ago.

• “Moderate” to “Exceptional” drought areas in the West covered about 76.84, up from 76.41 percent.
• High Plains saw the drought expanding this week to 67.00 percent, up from 66.22 percent.
• D0 to D1 drought levels in Midwest increased to 7.16 percent, up from 2.68 percent.

US Drought Map as of July 16, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  July 18, 2013.

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Expands for 4th Week July 11, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared in 3 States July 18, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]