U.S. Drought Monitor

 (through 5/17/11)
Data Source(s): U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Drought Mitigation Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A wet weather pattern continued across much of the western U.S. over the past 30 days, helping to keep short-term drought conditions at bay (Figure 3). These spring storms, however, dodged most parts of Arizona and New Mexico. Much of the West Coast, interior West, and northern Rockies observed precipitation amounts in excess of 150 percent of average. The May 17 update of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 76 percent of the western U.S. is drought free, which is the same percentage as last month. Drought conditions have continued to intensify across the Southwest. Exceptional drought conditions cover most of southeastern New Mexico, and a new area of severe drought crept into southeast Colorado. Texas is also mired in large areas classified with extreme and exceptional drought. Exceptional is the most intense drought category and is reserved for events that occur once in every 50 years.
 

Notes: