Drought continues to expand
Drought concerns continue to grow in the Plains and Midwest as many parts of the country have yet to see any rain in October.
What You Need To Know
- Many parts of the country have yet to see any rain in October
- Drought concerns continue to grow in the Plains and Midwest
- Some rain could help this week
If Philadelphia were to not see rain before the end of the month, it would be the first time the city would record no rain in a calendar month. Records date back to 1871.
Even going into October, parts of the Plains and Midwest have struggled to see meaningful rain in recent months. According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, 66% of the Midwest is under at least a Moderate Drought (D1). In the Plains, it’s even worse with 72% of the region in a drought.
In the Southeast, dry conditions continue to grow, especially along the western and central Gulf Coast. Overall, nearly half of the country (49.97%) is in some form of drought as of the latest drought monitor released on Oct. 24th.
Hope on the Horizon
The current forecast appears more favorable from now on for at least the Plains and Midwest. Models show a break in the current high-pressure pattern that has dominated recently heading into November.
However, the concern grows heading into this winter as La Niña is forecast to develop. This weather pattern typically brings drier-than-average weather for the southern half of the country from California through the Mid-Atlantic.
States like Texas, Oklahoma, and the larger Deep South could see droughts worsen throughout the winter.
The Climate Prediction Center forecast a dry winter for much of the southern half of the U.S. (Credit: CPC)
**Conclusion
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FAQs
Q: What parts of the country have not seen any rain in October?
A: Cities like Atlanta, Nashville, Philadelphia, New York City, and Dallas have yet to see any measurable rainfall in October.
Q: Is the drought in the Plains and Midwest expected to worsen?
A: Yes, the current forecast shows a break in the high-pressure pattern heading into November, but the concern grows heading into this winter as La Niña is forecast to develop, bringing drier-than-average weather to the southern half of the country.
Q: What is the current drought situation?
A: As of the latest drought monitor released on Oct. 24th, 49.97% of the country is in some form of drought.
