Parts of the U.S. — including Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Virginia — experienced lingering drought impacts into the winter after dry conditions earlier in the year.
This week brought improvements primarily to parts of the East, High Plains and Pacific Northwest. Some degradations occurred in the Midwest and South, with patches in Montana, North Dakota and elsewhere.
This week brought improvements to parts of the Southeast, Northwest and Hawaii, with degradations in Puerto Rico. A mix of improvements and degradations also occurred in other drought-affected areas of the U.S.
Much of the U.S. was warm and dry in November, with rapid drought development affecting parts of the eastern U.S. in the first half of the month. Drought impacts included wildfires in the Eastern U.S. and diminished harvests in the South.
In the November edition of Dry Horizons:
➡️ MSU study analyzes Whitebark pine tree characteristics.
➡️ Researchers and farmers work to improve hop production.
➡️ Indigenous populations face threats from drought, climate change and illegal activities in the Amazon.
This week, improvements occurred in the Southeast, as well as states including Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Degradations occurred in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming and Puerto Rico, among other areas.
Extreme drought conditions that developed in the #ShenandoahValley region now cover 4.44% of Virginia. The state is currently 56.06% in D1 or worse, up from 44.97%.
Dry conditions have contributed to #wildfires in #Virginia, leading Gov. Glenn Youngkin to issue an emergency declaration this week. As of Nov. 8, the #QuakerRunFire has affected about 3,700 acres total and is 40% contained, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.
CMOR is a tremendous network that reaches all corners of the US — and it wouldn’t exist without your contributions. Help us get the word out by sharing new CMOR graphics.
Thanks to National Weather Service San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Spanish translations!
The one-week change map shows degradations primarily in the South and Southwest. Improvements can be seen in states including Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana and Oregon.
This week’s CMOR photo is from Daviess County, Missouri.
“This pond held water throughout 2022 with continuous grazing. But it has been reduced to a mud puddle this year, even after the rains in August. It had no cattle on it from June 1 to August 20. This picture was taken after cattle had access to it again for about 3 weeks.”