Arizona Drought Status

Below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures have intensified drought conditions and expanded extreme drought across Arizona during the past 30 days. About 96 percent of Arizona is classified with moderate drought or a more severe drought category, according to the May 15 update of the U.S. Drought Monitor (Figures 4a–b). Extreme drought expanded by 5 percent since April 17 and now covers a large swath of the Navajo Nation. Severe drought slightly expanded in Mohave County.

In drought-related news, the Interagency Coordinating Group of the Arizona Governor’s Drought Task Force met earlier this month to review current drought conditions and impacts across the state. Based on drought impact reports and a review of recent hydroclimatic observations from multiple federal, state, and local agencies, the group recommended reaffirming and continuing the current state Drought Emergency Declaration that has been in place since 1999. Reaffirming this declaration allows the state to continue to provide emergency drought relief to impacted communities and to work with federal agencies like the Farm Services Agency to access their disaster relief assistance programs. More information is available at http://www.azwater.gov/azdwr/StatewidePlanning/Drought/DroughtStatus2.htm.