Drought Monitor Shows Slight Improvement Nationwide

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released this week reflected improvements and deteriorations, continuing the season’s mixed pattern but ultimately showing a slight decline in overall coverage across the country. Abnormally dry or worse conditions covered 72% of the country, down from 74% last week. However, about 21% of the country was experiencing severe drought or worse, down slightly from 23% last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM).

In the Midwest this week, moderate to heavy precipitation fell across much of the region. Drought improvements were noted across the Michigan Lower Peninsula and the Ohio Valley.