United States Drought Monitor

Map released: Thurs. October 17, 2019

Data valid: October 15, 2019 at 8 a.m. EDT

Intensity:

None
D0 (Abnormally Dry)
D1 (Moderate Drought)
D2 (Severe Drought)
D3 (Extreme Drought)
D4 (Exceptional Drought)
No Data

Author(s):

Richard Heim, NOAA/NCEI

The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.

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No text:

Legend:

Legend and statistics table:

Statistics

Estimated Population in Drought Areas:

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Potential Impacts

How well does this table characterize drought impacts in your state? Think an impact is missing? Please fill out this survey to help improve the table.

Category	Impact
D0	Soil moisture is low, dryland crop germination is poor, pastures are dry
	Fire danger increases
	Streamflow is low, affecting recreation fishing
D1	Producers feed livestock supplemental hay; crops are stressed and growth is poor
D1	Fire restrictions are implemented
D2	Hay and crop yields are low; hay quality is poor; subsoil moisture is nonexistent
	Fire count and danger are high; air quality is poor, with dust and smoke
	Trees and landscaping show signs of stress and lose leaves
	Livestock ponds are low or dry; water quality is monitored; wells are stressed
D3	Crops are not harvestable; winter pasture is opened for grazing; producers are hauling water and buying expensive supplemental feed, culling cattle and selling early; soil has large cracks; fields are bare
	Fire restrictions increase
	Agriculture and local business face economic loss
	Cattle have very little water; water quality is toxic
D4	Pasture loss is widespread; crops are destroyed
	Property is closed for hunting
	Drought hotlines are in place
	Fire risk is extremely high; fires are widespread

Drought Impact Reporter

How is drought affecting you? Submit drought impact and condition reports via the Drought Impact Reporter.

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The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.