Persistent drought conditions continue to affect the Western United States, with interior Oregon, southern Idaho, Wyoming, the Great Basin, and Utah experiencing extreme to exceptional drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor provides real-time intensity updates and maps.
Historical Context
The American West has a long history of severe dry periods, including the devastating 1930s Dust Bowl and the ongoing 21st-century megadrought. Climate reconstructions using tree rings show that multi-decade megadroughts occurred naturally in the Southwest during the 1100s, 1200s, and late 1500s.
According to meteorologists, the blocking patterns that have kept monsoon moisture out of the region are breaking down and opening up, bringing hope for long-term relief. Recent rain in the area is a positive sign, but the region’s drought history suggests that these dry periods are a normal feature of the climate.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
