More than half of U.S. faces worst drought in decades

More than 60 percent of the United States is experiencing drought conditions, with over 20 percent classified as extreme drought, according to climate experts. This widespread dryness is among the worst in decades, driven by an atypical La Niña event and exacerbated by climate warming, affecting water supplies and agriculture across multiple regions.

Andrew Ellis, a climatologist at Virginia Tech, explained that the current drought conditions are unusual because they cover a larger aerial area and are more intense than typical La Niña years. Normally, La Niña causes the storm track to shift northward, reducing precipitation in the southern U.S. and the Pacific Northwest, but this year, the Pacific Northwest remains unusually dry. The dryness is linked to the cooling of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean during fall and winter, which altered storm patterns and moisture flow from the Gulf of Mexico.

Ellis noted that climate warming intensifies these conditions by increasing evaporation and soil moisture loss, worsening drought impacts. The regions most affected include Colorado and the Southeast, especially Georgia and Florida, where widespread extreme and exceptional drought conditions are reported. States from New Jersey to Arkansas are also heavily impacted, as they rely on Gulf and southeastern moisture, which has been limited for months. Conversely, the Ohio Valley has remained relatively wet and drought-free so far this year.

Why It Matters

The widespread drought affects water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems across major U.S. regions, posing risks to food security, water supply, and economic stability. The severity and duration of these conditions could influence policy decisions, water management, and emergency responses in the coming months.

Background

This drought is part of a broader pattern linked to La Niña, which typically influences weather patterns in the U.S., but this year’s event is atypical due to its extensive coverage, including the Pacific Northwest. Experts have warned that climate warming is likely to intensify drought conditions, making them more persistent and severe. Relief from drought is unlikely in the immediate summer months, as summer rainfall is often insufficient to fully alleviate deep drought conditions, especially in the Rockies and Great Plains, which depend on winter snowpack and storm systems.

Looking ahead, climate scientists suggest that an anticipated El Niño event next fall and winter could bring wetter conditions, potentially reversing some of the drought impacts, but this remains uncertain.

“The current conditions are among the worst in decades because the combination of intensity and aerial coverage is rare.”

— Andrew Ellis, climatologist at Virginia Tech

“While precipitation remains the primary driver of drought, increased air temperatures lead to greater water loss from the soil through evapotranspiration, intensifying the effects of dry spells.”

— Andrew Ellis, Virginia Tech

What Remains Unclear

It is still unclear how long the drought conditions will persist or whether upcoming weather patterns, such as the predicted El Niño, will significantly alleviate the drought. The exact timing and severity of future rainfall remain uncertain, and regional variations in drought recovery are expected.

What’s Next

Monitoring will continue to assess drought progression and potential relief from upcoming weather systems. Climate experts anticipate that late summer or early fall tropical storms may provide some relief, but their impact is unpredictable. Policymakers and water resource managers are likely to prepare for prolonged dry conditions, especially in the most affected regions.

Key Questions

What regions are most affected by the drought?

The most impacted areas include Colorado, Georgia, Florida, and the broader southeastern U.S., as well as parts of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains.

Will the drought improve soon?

Relief in the immediate future is unlikely; significant improvements depend on weather patterns, particularly tropical systems in late summer or early fall, and possibly an El Niño event later this year.

How does climate change influence this drought?

Climate warming exacerbates drought by increasing evaporation and soil moisture loss, making dry spells more intense and prolonged, especially during La Niña years.

What are the potential impacts of this drought?

The drought threatens water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems, with risks of crop failure, water shortages, and economic impacts across affected regions.