Drought in the western U.S. is on track to be the driest season in seven years.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions will threaten pasture and rangelands conditions in the western areas.
According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, “On November 3rd, we see 78 percent of that region in drought for six weeks in a row, going back to late September. We have seen at least three-quarters of the western U.S. in drought... U.S. drought coverage is at 45 percent and that represents a slight increase from just under 43 percent five weeks ago on September 29th.”
NOAA says that drought conditions will likely persist or even worsen over large parts of the West during December. It could even expand farther east into the central United States.
