Eastern United States: Heavy rains and cooler weather during the past two weeks have significantly improved the drought situation in the East. Two to 4 inches of rain have fallen across the mid-Atlantic region in the past two weeks, with up to 6 inches reported in South Carolina last week. As a result, crop stress has eased and the significant agricultural drought (D2) has been reduced to standard drought (D1) or better over much of the East. However, rivers need much more runoff from rainfall to bring their flows up to normal levels, so significant hydrological drought (D2) continues across the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Ohio Valley. Though topsoil moisture has markedly improved, the earlier dryness has likely caused irreversible crop damage in some states, especially in South Carolina and Georgia, where the drought hit crops in their critical growth stages. Severe drought hangs on in southern Georgia, where last week's rains totaled less than 1 inch. A near-drought situation exists in much of Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee, where 4-week rainfall totals have been less than 50% of normal. However, heavy rains forecast for June 22-27, exceeding 3 inches across the lower Mississippi Valley, will remove the drought threat. One to three inch totals will also relieve lingering dryness over Georgia and northern Florida. By July 4, drought in the East should be mainly limited to New England, the mid-Atlantic region, and the eastern Ohio Valley.

Southern Plains and Southwest: Over the southern Plains, recent heavy rains (1-2 inches, locally higher) have ended the drought threat over southern Texas while light to moderate rains have also eased lingering dryness over southern New Mexico. The Southwest drought is mainly now confined to Arizona and southern California. No significant change is foreseen in the next 2 weeks, as the monsoon showers will continue to benefit the Southwest, but will not be enough to erase the long-term drought in Arizona and southern California. The official July outlook calls for above-normal rains over much of the Southwest, which would further ease the long-term dryness.

Northwest: The agricultural drought continued over interior Washington and Oregon, but cool, wet weather expected over the next 2 weeks should relieve the drought.

Hawaii: In Hawaii, drought problems are reported on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, with water restrictions ordered on Maui.

Alaska: Heat and dryness has also affected Alaska in recent weeks, stressing crops in the Tanana Valley and elsewhere.
Author: USDM