The latest U.S. Drought Monitor update shows a slight improvement in drought conditions across the country, though expanding heat and persistent dryness continue to worsen conditions in parts of the Great Plains and Upper Midwest.
According to the weekly report released on Thursday, July 23, 38.3 percent of the United States and Puerto Rico is currently experiencing moderate drought or worse. That marks a small improvement from the previous week’s 38.88 percent.
The report also found that about 114 million people are now living in drought affected areas. That number is down from roughly 118.7 million people one week earlier.
Heat And Dry Weather Expand Drought
While national numbers improved slightly, drought intensified across several regions. The Plains, Upper Midwest, and parts of Florida all saw worsening conditions after another week of limited rainfall and above normal temperatures.
Eastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming experienced notable degradation as persistent dryness combined with excessive heat and high evaporative demand. Across the central and northern Plains, temperatures ranged from two to more than 10 degrees above average. Those conditions contributed to deteriorating rangeland and expanding drought in several locations.
Heavy Rain Brings Relief To Several States
Elsewhere, widespread rainfall provided meaningful relief.
Texas Hill Country received another round of heavy rain, helping improve the area’s long term drought despite causing severe flash flooding. Rainfall totals generally ranged from five to 10 inches, with isolated locations recording more than 15 inches over the past week.
Rain also improved drought conditions across portions of the South, Southeast, Mid Atlantic, and Northeast. Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and several Mid Atlantic states all saw localized improvements after scattered showers.
Farther north, parts of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts received between two and five inches of rain or more, leading to additional drought relief.
Mixed Conditions Across The West
Conditions remained mixed across the western United States.
Above normal rainfall over the past month improved drought conditions in parts of Idaho and Montana. Meanwhile, Alaska also benefited from recent rainfall, reducing areas experiencing short term dryness.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated every Thursday through a partnership involving the National Drought Mitigation Center, the USDA, NOAA, and NASA. The weekly report remains one of the nation’s most closely watched indicators of drought conditions and water availability as the summer season continues.