United States Drought Monitor

State maps

Map released: Thurs. April 15, 2021

Data valid: April 13, 2021 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):

Deborah Bathke, National Drought Mitigation Center

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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Midwest Drought Summary

Widespread precipitation across the Midwest led to broad improvements to drought across the region, erasing moisture deficits and improving soil moisture and streamflow. Locally heavy totals (more than 2 inches) led to a two-category improvement in western Minnesota. These short-term gains also finally chipped away at the D3 (exceptional drought) area in northwestern Iowa that had been in place since October 2020. Cooperative Extension notes that tile lines are running again and water is standing in roadside ditches. Soil moisture has also started to rebound.

Full Summary

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.