You Might Think It A Little Early, But Drought Conditions Begin In West

Monday, April 27 2020 by Bob Dittman/KLOVE News - NOAA

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A dry riverbed
AP/Paul Davenport

Most western states have their wet season in the winter and spring, but it wasn't wet enough this year. As we move from Spring to Summer, abnormally dry conditions are increasing over parts of the country.

Pockets of extreme drought have developed over Northwest California and Southwest Oregon. Drought is expanding over much of the rest of Oregon and abnormally dry conditions are expanding in Washington State and Northern California.

Areas of severe drought conditions are growing across the Four Corners States.

Though there is some extreme drought in far Southern Texas, it's better than a few weeks back, when there were exceptional drought conditions. Some improvements have also been made along the Gulf Coast in the past few weeks, though it is still quite dry across Florida.

Most of the rest of the country is in pretty good shape. 

Drought Monitor Map
[Photo Credit: NOAA/NDMC] 

Looking ahead, it’s likely to continue drier than normal over much of the West and into the Plains and Southeast. Alaska will also be drier than normal.

In contrast, it’s more likely to be wetter than normal over the Midwest and Northeast.

As we look at temperatures, they’ll likely be warmer than normal over the Southwest. Much of the rest of the western half of the country has a greater likelihood of warmer than normal temperatures. The Midwest, Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic have the best chances of being a little cooler than normal.

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