According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, over 20% of the continental U.S. is currently facing moderate to exceptional drought conditions.
Winter storms have brought substantial rainfall and flooding to California, even setting some record-breaking amounts. This welcomed precipitation has granted the state a much-needed respite from the extensive droughts that plagued nearly the entire region from 2020 to 2022. However, other areas in the country continue to grapple with persistently dry conditions. Presently, New Mexico is experiencing the most severe drought, with approximately 88.2% of the state’s territory affected.
During times of drought, the water levels in major reservoirs and rivers can experience a significant decline. This can have a detrimental effect on groundwater systems as well, leading to a reduction in available water supplies. As a result, the agricultural sector and hydropower generation are negatively impacted, and the risk of wildfires increases.
Droughts have become more severe and frequent in recent years as a result of climate change. Even in scenarios with low emissions, scientists predict that a significant portion of the United States will experience increased dryness by the end of the century.
According to Stacker’s analysis of data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, the following counties in North Dakota were identified as having the most severe droughts in the week leading up to March 5, 2024. The counties are listed based on the percentage of their area experiencing drought conditions. It is important to note that the classification of “abnormally dry” is not considered to be a full-fledged drought, but it is still included as a separate data point. The data also includes an overview of the drought conditions for the entire state. Only counties experiencing drought are included in the list, and they are ranked according to the severity of the drought.
North Dakota statistics
According to the latest data, about 63.8% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Additionally, 26.7% of the area is currently experiencing some level of drought, ranking it at number 12 nationally. Out of the total area in drought, 19.9% is classified as moderate drought, while 6.8% is classified as severe drought. Fortunately, there are currently no areas experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions.
Ward County
According to the latest data, the current conditions of drought in the area are as follows:
– The majority of the area, approximately 95.9%, is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– A small portion, about 4.1%, is facing moderate drought.
– However, there are no reports of severe, extreme, or exceptional drought in the region.
McLean County
According to the latest data, the levels of dryness in the area are as follows:
– Abnormally dry: 65.8%
– Area in drought: 6.9%
– Moderate drought: 6.9%
– Severe drought: 0.0%
– Extreme drought: 0.0%
– Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Renville County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions are as follows:
– The area experiencing abnormally dry conditions is at 93.0%.
– The percentage of the area in drought is at 7.0%.
– Out of the total area in drought, 7.0% is classified as experiencing moderate drought.
– No areas are currently facing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions.
Williams County
The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– 88.9% of the area is abnormally dry.
– 11.1% of the area is experiencing some level of drought.
– Out of the areas in drought, all of them are classified as moderate drought.
– There are no areas currently experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought.
Foster County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– 88.3% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– The remaining 11.7% of the area is in a state of drought.
– Out of the total drought-affected area, all of it is classified as moderate drought.
– Fortunately, there are no reports of severe, extreme, or exceptional drought in the region.
These statistics provide an overview of the current drought situation, highlighting the areas that are most affected. It is crucial to monitor and address these conditions to ensure the well-being of the affected regions and their communities.
Sioux County
According to the latest data, 85.8% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, while the remaining 14.2% is in a state of drought. Of this 14.2%, there is no severe, extreme, or exceptional drought reported at the moment.
Bottineau County
The current state of drought in the area is as follows:
– 59.8% is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– 40.2% of the area is currently in drought.
– Out of the areas in drought, all of them are classified as moderate drought.
– There are no areas currently experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought.
Grand Forks County
According to recent data, the distribution of drought conditions in the area is as follows:
– A significant portion, 56.9%, is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– Currently, 43.1% of the area is in a state of drought.
– Out of the total area in drought, 38.1% is classified as having moderate drought conditions.
– A smaller percentage, 5.0%, is facing severe drought conditions.
– Fortunately, there are no areas experiencing extreme or exceptional drought at the moment.
Wells County
According to the latest data, the current drought situation is as follows:
– 50.5% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– Drought conditions are affecting 49.5% of the area.
– Out of the drought-affected areas, 49.5% are experiencing moderate drought conditions.
– There are no severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions reported at the moment.
Nelson County
The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– Approximately 49.7% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– Around 50.3% of the area is considered to be in a state of drought.
– Out of the total area, 48.6% is facing moderate drought conditions.
– A smaller portion, specifically 1.7%, is experiencing severe drought conditions.
– Thankfully, none of the area is currently experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions.
These statistics give us an insight into the current state of drought in the area, highlighting the varying levels of severity across different regions. It is essential to monitor these conditions closely and take appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of drought on the affected areas.
McHenry County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions can be summarized as follows:
– Approximately 49.5% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– Drought conditions are affecting around 50.5% of the total area.
– Out of the areas experiencing drought, all of them are categorized as moderate drought.
– There are no areas currently facing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions.
Adams County
The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– Abnormally dry: 46.7%
– Area in drought: 53.3%
– Moderate drought: 53.3%
– Severe drought: 0.0%
– Extreme drought: 0.0%
– Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Bowman County
The current drought situation in the area is as follows:
– 37.2% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– The remaining 62.8% of the area is in some level of drought.
– Out of the areas in drought, 62.8% are experiencing moderate drought conditions.
– There are currently no areas experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought.
Sheridan County
According to the latest data, 34.2% of the area is experiencing abnormal dryness. The remaining 65.8% is currently in some level of drought. Out of the total area in drought, there is currently no severe, extreme, or exceptional drought reported.
Eddy County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– 10.6% of the area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
– The remaining 89.4% of the area is in drought, with the majority categorized as moderate drought.
– Fortunately, there are currently no reports of severe, extreme, or exceptional drought in the area.
Burke County
Currently, 97.0% of the area is experiencing drought conditions. Out of this, 3.0% is categorized as abnormally dry. The remaining 97.0% falls under the classification of moderate drought. However, there is no severe, extreme, or exceptional drought reported at the moment.
Rolette County
– The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
– Moderate drought: 100.0%
– Severe drought: 0.0%
– Extreme drought: 0.0%
– Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Pierce County
The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
– Moderate drought: 100.0%
– Severe drought: 0.0%
– Extreme drought: 0.0%
– Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Divide County
The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– There is no abnormally dry area.
– The entire area is experiencing drought conditions, with 100% coverage.
– Out of the areas in drought, all of them are classified as moderate drought.
– There is no severe drought in the region.
– Extreme drought is not present.
– There is no exceptional drought reported.
Benson County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions can be summarized as follows:
– The area is abnormally dry, with a percentage of 0.0%.
– The entire area is experiencing drought, with a percentage of 100.0%.
– Among the drought conditions, the percentage of moderate drought is 100.0%.
– However, there are no severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions present at the moment.
This information provides an overview of the drought situation, highlighting the absence of severe and extreme drought conditions while noting the prevalence of moderate drought across the area.
Ramsey County
The current drought conditions in the area are as follows:
– No abnormally dry areas.
– The entire area is experiencing drought conditions.
– 62.7% of the area is classified as being in a moderate drought.
– 37.3% of the area is experiencing a severe drought.
– There are no areas currently experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions.
Towner County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions are as follows:
– The area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions at 0.0%.
– The entire area is affected by drought, with a coverage of 100.0%.
– Out of the total affected area, 54.0% is experiencing moderate drought.
– 46.0% of the affected area is classified as severe drought.
– Fortunately, there are no areas experiencing extreme or exceptional drought at the moment.
Walsh County
According to the latest data, the current drought conditions are as follows:
– The area is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with a percentage of 0.0%.
– The entire area is affected by drought, with a percentage of 100.0%.
– Out of the total area in drought, 14.8% is classified as experiencing moderate drought.
– The majority of the area, 85.2%, is facing severe drought conditions.
– There are no areas currently experiencing extreme or exceptional drought.
These statistics provide an overview of the drought situation in the region, highlighting the severity and extent of the dry conditions. It is important to monitor and address these conditions to mitigate the impact on the environment and communities affected by the drought.
Pembina County
According to the latest data, the current drought situation is as follows:
– The percentage of areas experiencing abnormally dry conditions is 0.0%.
– The entire area is facing drought conditions, with a percentage of 100.0%.
– Moderate drought is not present, with a percentage of 0.0%.
– Severe drought affects the entire area, with a percentage of 100.0%.
– Extreme drought is not reported, with a percentage of 0.0%.
– Exceptional drought is not observed, with a percentage of 0.0%.
These figures highlight the severity of the drought situation, with a significant portion of the area experiencing severe drought conditions. It is crucial to monitor and address the impacts of this drought to mitigate its effects on the environment and communities.
Cavalier County
According to the latest data, there is currently no abnormal dryness in the area. However, the entire region is experiencing a drought, with 100% of the area being affected. Of this, there is no moderate drought, but severe drought conditions prevail throughout the region. The extreme drought is not present, and there is no exceptional drought reported.
