Nearly half the state is now covered by top-level drought, and the dry conditions continue to put the state on a worrisome path.
The U.S. Drought Monitor increased the top-level Exceptional Drought status to 47 percent of the state, and 67 percent of the state is now in Exceptional and Extreme Drought status. The area that saw an increase in drought conditions includes portions of the Northern Sierra.
Areas in Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas are also showing extreme drought areas. This has been a very bad year for the snowpack, and it's starting to show with droughts spreading through the West.
Compared to the Midwest drought, the West has virtually no chance of seeing the status improve until the next rainy season, which typically starts in October. The drought in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas can see improvement with steady storms in spring, summer and fall. If you add some decayed tropical systems, it could turn around very quickly.
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