Drought Status Updated: How's Your Area?

news image
Special Stories
30 Jul 2020 2:00 PM
The weekly Drought Monitor was released Thursday morning, as it is every Thursday with data through Tuesday of each week, and it shows some pretty distinct changes in parts of the country. Let's take a look: The Drought Monitor updated Thursday, July 30. The data in this image is valid through Tuesday, July 28 The national view of the Drought Monitor shows that a majority of the country is on the dry side. Roughly 75% of the Lower 48 is experiencing at least "abnormally dry" conditions, shaded in yellow. That means about one-quarter of the Contiguous U.S. is experiencing average or above-average soil moisture conditions. Here are some highlights when we compare this week's data to last week's data:
  • No location is in Exceptional Drought (the worst ranking on the scale)
  • The West saw drought development in all categories (moderate, severe, and extreme drought)
  • There were many areas which had below-average precipitation during the past week
  • Looking ahead, the West will likely face the toughest conditions
The weekly Drought Monitor for the Southwest U.S. released Thursday, July 30 Some of the biggest weekly changes were seen across the Southwest U.S. where states including Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming experienced worsening drought. This is the time of the year when the monsoon showers and thunderstorms help replenish the water table, but unfortunately the monsoon has been weak in most areas. Take for instance, Arizona: https://twitter.com/NWSPhoenix/status/1288672083149430784 The National Weather Service office in Phoenix, Arizona has been tracking the number of lightning strikes across the state as a way to monitor the strength of this year's monsoon. So far, it has been a very quiet wet season. The monthly drought outlook, going forward, shows drought continuing for much of the West with further drought development likely for parts of Arizona and New Mexico. Unfortunately in the near term, between July 31 and August 12, the precipitation outlook for the West favors higher chances of drier-than-average conditions. This is attributed to the massive area of heat parked over the West right now, not allowing many thunderstorms to pop up.
All Weather News
More
Weekend Storm Brings Soaking Rain and Severe Threat Across Texas

Weekend Storm Brings Soaking Rain and Severe Threat Across Texas

For the rest of the weekend, heavy rain and s

15 Nov 2026 3:15 AM
Freezing Temperatures Across the Midwest and Southeast

Freezing Temperatures Across the Midwest and Southeast

Millions of Americans are getting a chilly re

15 Nov 2026 2:30 AM
Tropics Update: All is Quiet

Tropics Update: All is Quiet

There are only a few weeks left in the Hurric

15 Nov 2026 2:15 AM
Snow, Flooding, & Strong Winds Hit California, Active Pacific Pattern Persists

Snow, Flooding, & Strong Winds Hit California, Active Pacific Pattern Persists

The first in a line of several storms systems

15 Nov 2026 2:00 AM
More Snow Chances for the Northeast Into the Weekend

More Snow Chances for the Northeast Into the Weekend

Heavy snow is piling up across portions of th

14 Nov 2026 12:30 AM
Lake Effect Machine May Fire Up Midweek

Lake Effect Machine May Fire Up Midweek

We've got a party getting started in the midw

13 Nov 2026 2:00 AM
Severe Threat Rolls Returns to the Ohio Valley

Severe Threat Rolls Returns to the Ohio Valley

An interesting setup is rolling through the M

11 Nov 2026 12:20 PM