U.S. Drought Monitor

 (data through 11/16/10)
Data Source(s): U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Drought Mitigation Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Drought conditions expanded in some areas in the West but decreased in overall extent during the past 30 days, according to the November 19 update of the U.S. Drought Monitor (Figure 3). Nevada is still the western state most mired in drought, with nearly 75 percent of the state classified with abnormally dry conditions or worse. Abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions expanded slightly across parts of the Rockies in Colorado, but also slightly decreased in Idaho and Wyoming. Texas experienced significant changes in drought conditions as moderate and severe conditions expanded in southern portions of the state. Other southern states extending from Louisiana to Florida also are experiencing widespread drought, and conditions will likely persist in these regions, as La Niña events often bring dry conditions to the southern U.S.

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