The East, South, and Midwest: Most drought areas east of the Mississippi recorded rain during the past 7 days (Sep 29 - Oct 5), with 2 to 3 inches or more bringing relief to Illinois, N Indiana, and locally elsewhere. Nevertheless, severe drought (category D2) still extends from Ohio, SW Pennsylvania, and S and E Indiana southward through Kentucky and Tennessee to the Gulf Coast, with extreme drought (D3) persisting in SW Ohio, N Kentucky, and W Georgia. Kentucky recorded its driest July-September this century, with Lexington's rainfall of 4.67 inches just 38 percent of normal. Tennessee measured its second driest July-September in 105 years. For the second consecutive week, rains reduced drought intensity along the southern Appalachians, but moderate to severe drought continues in W North Carolina, NW South Carolina, and much of West Virginia. Showers in E Texas diminished drought there, but dry weather extended severe drought (D2) westward to the Big Bend area. July-September rainfall on the Edward's Plateau was 24 percent of normal.

Outlook: During October 8-10, tropical moisture will ease drought over the lower Mississippi Valley from E Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi northward to the lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, including Arkansas, Missouri, and western parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.

The West: Little rain fell across the Pacific Northwest this past week. Drought has been upgraded to severe (D2, agricultural) over SC Washington and much of C and NE Oregon, as well as parts of W Idaho. In September, Boise and Lewiston, Idaho and Spokane, Washington set records with a trace or less rainfall. Oregon observed its second driest September in 105 years. The dryness, which began in March, is having an impact on dryland farming, especially winter wheat, but water supplies remain adequate. Short-term dryness (D0) expanded southward into SW California and westward near the coasts of Oregon and northern California, increasing fire danger.

Outlook: Showers fell over the Pacific NW on October 6, and additional rain will fall across the region during the next 2 weeks, but amounts will not be sufficient to materially reduce the severe drought east of the Cascades. The Southwest will be warm and dry.

Non-contiguous U.S.: Normal to below-normal rains in Hawaii led to no significant improvement in the continuing long-term drought. There are no significant dryness problems in Alaska, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

Outlook: In Hawaii, improvement is expected later this year as seasonal rains increase.