The latest U.S. Drought Monitor was released this morning, showing improvements in large parts of the country.
A series of precipitation out west delivered significant rainfall to lower elevation coastal areas and heavy snow in the mountains. The storms provided a late-season boost to mountain snowpack levels in states like California.
South Texas also saw an impactful amount of rain, with some areas receiving a record-breaking total of +12 inches.
Sadly, states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado only saw drought conditions worsen. Short-term dryness also expanded areas of drought in the southeast.
That lingering drought may be eased in some parts of the country where heavy rain this week is now prompting historic flooding concerns. Anywhere from 4-10 inches of rain is expected for areas from Arkansas all the way to Ohio.
The two storm systems are also expected to bring snow across the north, winds of the Plains, and severe weather in the Rockies.
Last night, one of those systems caused tornadoes spanning several states. Nearly 300 tornado warnings have been issued since yesterday morning and into today. Devastating damage has already been reported in states like Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Indiana.
Additional rounds of severe weather are still expected for these areas.
