Issued 4 December 2014
Contents Of This Report:
Map showing Palmer Z Index
Percent Area of U.S. in Moderate to Extreme Drought, Jan 1996 to present

Please note that the values presented in this report are based on preliminary data. They will change when the final data are processed, but will not be replaced on these pages.


National Drought Overview

[top]


Detailed Drought Discussion


Overview


A strong meridional circulation dominated the weather pattern over North America during most of November 2014. It consisted of a long-wave trough over the eastern CONUS and a long-wave ridge over the western CONUS and eastern North Pacific, including Alaska. This pattern produced drier- and warmer-than-normal conditions for the month over Alaska and the southwestern CONUS, and colder-than-normal weather for most of the country east of the Rockies. Dry arctic air masses moving in the northwesterly flow beneath the eastern trough kept monthly precipitation below normal across the Central Plains, Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and interior Northeast. Short-wave troughs migrating through the circulation generated weather systems which brought above-normal precipitation to parts of the Northern Rockies, Southern Plains, and Southeast, improving drought conditions in most of those regions. November was drier than normal over most of the Hawaiian Islands. When integrated across the CONUS, November 2014 ranked as the 46th driest November in the 1895-2014 record. On balance, the national drought footprint contracted when compared to last month, decreasing to about 24.3 percent of the U.S. as a whole, according to USDM statistics. According to the Palmer Drought Index, which goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, about 14 percent of the CONUS was in moderate to extreme drought at the end of November, a decrease of about 3 percent compared to last month.

The U.S. Drought Monitor drought map valid December 2, 2014
The U.S. Drought Monitor drought map valid December 2, 2014.

By the end of the month:

Percent area of the CONUS in moderate to exceptional drought, January 4, 2000 to present, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor
Percent area of the CONUS in moderate to exceptional drought, January 4, 2000 to present, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor.


Palmer Drought Index


The Palmer drought indices measure the balance between moisture demand (evapotranspiration driven by temperature) and moisture supply (precipitation). The Palmer Z Index depicts moisture conditions for the current month, while the Palmer Hydrological Drought Index (PHDI) and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) depict the current month's cumulative moisture conditions integrated over the last several months. While both the PDSI and PHDI indices show long-term moisture conditions, the PDSI depicts meteorological drought while the PHDI depicts hydrological drought. The PDSI map shows less severe and extensive drought in the West and parts of the Plains than the PHDI map because the meteorological conditions that produce drought are not as long-lasting as the hydrological impacts.

Palmer Z Index map Palmer Hydrological Drought Index map

Used together, the Palmer Z Index and PHDI maps show that short-term dry conditions occurred over parts of the Southwest, which had areas in long-term drought during October, maintaining or intensifying drought by the end of November. Short-term dry conditions also occurred over parts of the Deep South and Northeast, reducing areas of long-term wetness. Short-term wet conditions occurred over parts of the Southern Plains, reducing areas of long-term drought.



Standardized Precipitation Index


The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) measures moisture supply. The SPI maps here show the spatial extent of anomalously wet and dry areas at time scales ranging from 1 month to 24 months.

2-month Standardized Precipitation Index 3-month Standardized Precipitation Index 6-month Standardized Precipitation Index

1-month Standardized Precipitation Index

The SPI maps illustrate how moisture conditions have varied considerably through time and space over the last two years. November and the last 2 months were dry across much of the Southwest, but summer monsoon rains gave the region normal to wet conditions for the last 3 to 6 months, except for southern California. Dryness is dominant in the Southwest at 12 months and over California and into the Northwest at 24 months. The Central and parts of the Northern Plains show up as dry at the 1-month time scale, with the dryness shifting to the Northern Plains at 2 to 3 months, but wet conditions dominate at longer time scales. The Southern Plains are wet at 1 month, neutral to mixed at 2 to 9 months, and dry at 12 to 24 months. Portions of the Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and interior Northeast are dry at the 1-month time scale, and parts of the Northeast are dry at 3 months, but wet to mixed conditions dominate at the other time scales. Portions of the central Gulf of Mexico coast are dry at the 1- to 6-month time scales, but wet at 24 months.


9-month Standardized Precipitation Index 12-month Standardized Precipitation Index 24-month Standardized Precipitation Index


Agricultural, Hydrological, and Meteorological Indices and Impacts

NOAA NLDAS soil moisture percentile map
NOAA NLDAS soil moisture percentile map
USGS monthly streamflow percentiles
USGS monthly streamflow percentiles

Drought conditions were reflected in numerous agricultural, hydrological, and other meteorological indicators, both observed and modeled.

The lack of precipitation during November was evident in a reduced number of rain days and long runs of consecutive dry days in the Southwest, Central to Northern Plains, and central Gulf Coast. The below-normal precipitation during November and earlier months continued to dry top soils and deeper soils, especially in parts of the West, Central to Southern Plains, and Southeast where several states had 50 percent or more of their topsoil or subsoil rated short or very short of moisture by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Modeled and observed streamflow was below normal across large parts of the West, Plains, and Northeast. The lack of precipitation has had long-term effects by lowering groundwater levels, especially in those areas that have experienced long-duration drought, and reservoir levels, especially in California and Texas. The western snow season has gotten off to a slow start in some areas — snow water content in the coastal mountain ranges and Southwest is below normal, while the Rocky Mountain basins have received near normal to above snow water content. Winter snowpack is important to western hydrology since it provides an important water source during the spring and summer melt season.



Regional Discussion


Hawaii: November 2014 was drier than normal at most of the reporting stations in Hawaii. Rainfall during October and earlier in the year gave many stations near- to above-normal precipitation at these time scales (last 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 12 months), but dryness is evident at the longer time scales (last 24 and 36 months). On the USDM map, moderate drought covered less than three percent of the state, reflecting the low reservoir situation in central Molokai and the Upcountry Maui area.

Alaska: Alaska was predominantly drier than normal during November with above-normal temperatures. The below-normal precipitation pattern was widespread at 2 months, both at the lower elevation stations as well as the higher elevation SNOTEL stations. The dryness has reduced the water content of the mountain snowpack, as well as dried soils (according to model calculations). The last 3 months were predominantly drier than normal, but the precipitation anomaly pattern becomes mixed at longer time scales (last 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 24, and 36 months). The December 2nd USDM map was free of drought and abnormal dryness.

Puerto Rico: November was drier than normal for central Puerto Rico but wetter than normal elsewhere. The dryness of October was reflected in a widespread below-normal precipitation pattern at the 2-month time scale. Dryness in the southern and eastern parts of the island is evident at longer time scales (last 3, 6, and 11 months). On the December 2nd USDM map, the recent rainfall has eliminated the moderate drought area and reduced the abnormally dry area to about 3 percent.

CONUS State Ranks:

1-month state precipitation ranks Percent of normal precipitation for November 2014

The November precipitation anomaly pattern of dryness in the Southwest and east of the Rockies was reflected in the state ranks, with 19 states ranking in the driest third of the historical record. Portions of some states (Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota) were quite dry, but other parts of those states were not as dry and this tempered the statewide rank.

A variable pattern of precipitation characterized the rest of 2014. Seven states (in the Northern Plains and Northeast) ranked in the driest third of the historical record for September-November, four states were that dry (scattered in the Southeast and along the East Coast) for June-November, and six were that dry (in the Southwest, Southern Plains, and in the East) for the year-to-date.

12-month state precipitation ranks California statewide precipitation, December-November, 1895-2014

For the last twelve months (December 2013-November 2014), dryness dominated the West Coast and Southern Plains. California was especially hard hit, having the hottest and ninth driest December-November on record. Five other states (Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Connecticut) ranked in the driest third of the historical record for the 12-month period. Arizona also had the hottest December-November on record, with Nevada (second hottest), Oregon (fourth hottest), and Utah (tenth hottest) ranking in the top ten.

Western U.S.


Percent area of the Western U.S. in moderate to extreme drought, January 1900 to present, based on the Palmer Drought Index
Percent area of the Western U.S. in moderate to extreme drought, January 1900 to present, based on the Palmer Drought Index.

As noted above, dry weather has dominated the West for much of the last several months, resulting in significant hydrological (low lake, reservoir, and stream levels) and agricultural impacts. According to the USDM, 55.2 percent of the West was experiencing moderate to exceptional drought at the end of November, which is about the same as the previous month. The Palmer Drought Index percent area statistic for the West was 40.6 percent, a slight decrease compared to the previous month.


Percent Area of the Western U.S. in Moderate to Extreme Drought, January 1996-present, based on the Palmer Drought Index Percent Area of the Western U.S. in Moderate to Exceptional Drought, January 4, 2000-present, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor

Agricultural Belts


Primary Hard Red Winter Wheat Belt precipitation, November, 1895-2014
Primary Hard Red Winter Wheat Belt precipitation, November, 1895-2014.
Primary Hard Red Winter Wheat Belt precipitation, October-November, 1895-2014
Primary Hard Red Winter Wheat Belt precipitation, October-November, 1895-2014.

October marks the start of the growing season for the Primary Hard Red Winter Wheat agricultural belt. While portions of the region were drier than normal this month, November 2014 ranked as the 48th driest November in the 1895-2014 record regionwide. The growing season to date ranked as the 56th driest October-November. According to November 24th USDA statistics, 94 percent of the winter wheat crop was rated fair to excellent, with only six percent rated in poor to very poor condition. According to the December 2nd USDM, 37 percent of the winter wheat regions were experiencing drought, while 28 percent of cattle, 18 percent of hay, five percent of corn, and three percent of soybeans were in drought areas.

NOAA Regional Climate Centers:


A more detailed drought discussion, provided by the NOAA Regional Climate Centers and others, can be found below.

SoutheastSouthMidwestNortheastHigh Plains
WestPacific Islands


As described by the High Plains Regional Climate Center, November 2014 was a month of extreme temperatures while precipitation varied across the High Plains region. The warmth of October carried over into the first part of November and this was followed by an Arctic blast which brought record-breaking cold to the region and beyond. In the end, the cold weather dominated as most of the region had average temperatures which were well below normal. Generally, the driest areas were to the south, while the wetter areas were to the north and west. A large area of central and eastern Nebraska, as well as eastern Colorado and most of Kansas received at best 25 percent of normal precipitation. One of the driest locations was Goodland, Kansas which only received 0.02 inch (1 mm) of precipitation. This amount was only 3 percent of normal and ranked as the 6th driest November on record (period of record 1895-2014). Although some areas received near to just above normal precipitation, there were very few locations receiving much above normal precipitation. One area receiving ample precipitation was northwestern Wyoming. Sheridan, Wyoming received 1.49 inches (38 mm) of precipitation, which ranked as the 8th wettest November on record (period of record 1907-2014). Precipitation during the fall (September, October, and November) also varied with some areas receiving well above normal precipitation and others receiving little precipitation. A large area of the eastern Dakotas received 25-50 percent of normal precipitation and this ongoing dryness led to the development of abnormally dry conditions. Meanwhile, the area encompassing the Black Hills and the panhandle of Nebraska had totals which exceeded 150 percent of normal. Other wet areas included central Colorado, western Wyoming, eastern Kansas, and a swath running from southeastern Colorado to the northeast through Kansas and into eastern Nebraska and central Iowa. According to the USDM, there were only slight changes to drought conditions in the High Plains region since last month. The total area in drought (D1-D4) remained at about 11 percent with only a slight expansion of moderate drought (D1) from northeastern South Dakota into southeastern North Dakota. Drought conditions in the southern part of the region, across Colorado and Kansas, persisted. The most notable change to conditions occurred in the eastern halves of the Dakotas and south-central Nebraska where abnormally dry conditions (D0) have emerged. These areas have been experiencing dryness over the past three months. Luckily, at this time of the year any impacts from these areas would be minor.

As explained by the Southern Regional Climate Center, for the majority of the Southern region, November was a dry month and a cold month across the board. Many stations in Louisiana and Arkansas experienced extended periods without any measurable rainfall. Throughout much of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, precipitation totals for the month varied between 25 to 75 percent of normal. The only areas in the region to experience wetter than normal conditions were in the south and southwestern counties of Texas, and a small handful of counties in southern Oklahoma. Despite some welcomed precipitation in Texas and southern Oklahoma, drought conditions for those two states, which dominate the drought story for the Southern region, did not change significantly. Elsewhere, dry conditions allowed for a continuation of moderate drought designations in northeastern Arkansas and in southern Mississippi.

In Louisiana, the dry weather provided optimal conditions for sugar cane harvesting. The harvesting of sugar cane is ahead of schedule and will continue into January. In Texas, the cold weather had a drastic effect on the cotton harvesting. Cotton ran about two weeks behind normal due to cooler than average temperatures over the month. The areas of Texas that received above normal precipitation (Southern, Central, some Eastern regions) had adequate to good soil moisture. In the Panhandle where temperatures were extremely cold and windy, some of the cotton crop were lost. Fortunately, dryland grain sorghum crops were above average in yield. For ranchers, most the livestock remained in good condition and made it through the abnormal cold spell. However, horn fly populations fell (Information provided by the Texas Office of State Climatology).

As summarized by the Midwest Regional Climate Center, November temperatures and precipitation were below normal for most of the Midwest. The northern regions were the exception with above normal precipitation totals in central Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and much of Michigan. Despite the meager precipitation totals, snowfall totals were well above normal for much of the region. Fall, September to November, precipitation totals were a mixed bag of above and below normal conditions. Areas of 2 inches (51 mm) or more above and below normal were scattered across the region.

As noted by the Southeast Regional Climate Center, precipitation was highly variable and mean temperatures were well below average across the Southeast during November. The wettest locations were found across a small portion of the region, including northern and central Florida (excluding the western Panhandle), southern Georgia, and coastal South Carolina. In contrast, the driest locations were found across the western Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama, where monthly precipitation was 50 percent to as low as 10 percent of normal. Precipitation was near-average for much of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, though San Juan, PR (1898-2014) did record 11.47 inches (291 mm) of precipitation during November, which is about 175 percent of normal. A modest improvement in drought conditions was noted for the Southeast region during November. The percentage of the region under drought-free (less than D1) conditions increased slightly from 91 percent on the 4th to 97 percent on the 25th. The most significant amelioration of drought conditions occurred in southwestern Georgia and north-central Florida. The small area of severe drought (D2) in extreme southwestern Georgia was eliminated, and the coverage of moderate drought (D1) conditions across Georgia decreased from 14 percent on the 4th to 3.5 percent on the 25th. Despite the development of a localized area of severe drought around Mobile Bay, drought conditions continued to improve across portions of western and southern Alabama, as the statewide coverage of moderate drought decreased from 25 percent on the 4th to 11 percent on the 25th. Agricultural impacts were relatively minimal across the region, but the planting of winter pasture grasses in northern Florida was disrupted by the unusually cold temperatures during mid-November.

As explained by the Northeast Regional Climate Center, November was a chilly month in the Northeast. Receiving 2.84 inches (72.14 mm) of precipitation, or 73 percent of normal, the Northeast returned to drier conditions in November. Eight of the twelve states were drier than normal, with departures ranging from 64 percent of normal in Pennsylvania and West Virginia to 94 percent of normal in Connecticut. Departures for the wet states ranged from 104 percent of normal in Massachusetts up to 120 percent of normal in New Jersey. Autumn also ended up drier than normal. The region picked up 9.42 inches (239.29 mm), 81 percent of normal. All states were drier than normal, with Pennsylvania seeing its 19th driest autumn on record. Departures ranged from 71 percent of normal in Pennsylvania to 96 percent of normal in West Virginia. According to the USDM, 14 percent of the Northeast was abnormally dry and 2 percent of the region was experiencing moderate drought at the start of November. Conditions deteriorated slightly during the month so that by the end of November, 21 percent of the Northeast was abnormally dry and 2 percent of the region remained under moderate drought conditions.

As summarized by the Western Regional Climate Center, several storm systems impacted the northern tier of the West this month, with a few systems pushing southward into California. Temperatures this month averaged cooler than normal for the northeastern half of the West and warmer than normal in the southeastern half of the region. Significant temperature variability was observed throughout the month, especially in the north, with the passage of strong cold fronts. Another month of above normal temperatures helped maintain 2014 as California's warmest calendar year on record to-date. Temperatures have been above normal for a majority of the state since January 2014.

Much of the northern tier of the West observed near to above normal precipitation this month. Further south, drier conditions dominated. Over the last few days of the month, the first of a series of storms brought precipitation to a large area of California with 0.5-2.0 in (13-51 mm) observed throughout much of the state and over 2 in (51 mm) of water reported in the northern Sierra Nevada. In spite of this and other storms earlier in the month, precipitation was still less than 75% of normal throughout much of the state. The Southwest deserts remained nearly dry this month, not unusual for this time of year. This month's storms helped to establish snowpack in western mountains, with 1-2 ft (30-61 cm) observed in the Sierra and southern Cascades by the end of the month and 2-4 ft or more (61-122 cm) in the northern Cascades as well as the northern and central Rockies. With the exception of a small area at the Oregon-Washington-Idaho border, drought conditions did not worsen in the West this month, though severe to exceptional drought persists for a large area of California, Nevada, and southeastern Oregon.

Many locations in Alaska observed one of their top-10 warmest Novembers on record this month with average temperatures 6+ F (3.3 C) above normal in all but the southeast and far southwest portions of the state. Temperatures at King Salmon averaged 36.5 F (2.5 C), the warmest in a 98-year record. McGrath and Anchorage recorded their 5th warmest Novembers at an average 16.1 F (-8.8 C) and 31.3 F (-0.4 C), respectively. McGrath also set a monthly record high temperature of 50 F (10 C) on November 12; this location had previously never seen a temperature of 50 F (10 C) or greater past October 22. Further south, precipitation in Kodiak totaled 13.00 in (330 mm) for the month, 189% of normal and the 4th wettest November since records began in 1931. Elsewhere in the state, precipitation was near normal along the southern coast, below normal throughout the interior and above normal along the North Slope. At much lower latitudes, precipitation was below normal for much of Hawaii. Several stations of the windward side of the Big Island reported above normal rainfall. Warm, snow-free conditions keep popular Alaska ski resorts Alyeska and Hilltop near Anchorage from opening over the Thanksgiving holiday. Not only was natural snowfall not sufficient, temperatures were too warm for manual snow making to occur. The last time Hilltop ski resort did not open for Thanksgiving was in the early 2000s.

Pacific Islands: According to reports from National Weather Service offices, the Pacific ENSO Applications Climate Center (PEAC), and partners, conditions varied across the Pacific Islands.

In the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (maps — Micronesia, Marshall Islands, basinwide), November 2014 was generally drier than normal at most of the primary stations. Only Saipan, Kapingamarangi, and Pago Pago were wetter than normal.

The rainfall amounts at most of the primary stations were above the minimum thresholds (4 or 8 inches) required to meet most monthly water needs. The 4- and 8-inch thresholds are important because, if monthly precipitation falls below the threshold, then drought becomes a concern. Koror (with 6.12 inches), Yap (7.40 inches), Chuuk (6.99 inches), and Lukonor (6.37 inches) were below the 8-inch threshold. November marks the second consecutive month that Koror was drier than the 8-inch threshold, while the other three stations were wetter than the 8-inch threshold in October and previous months. Pago Pago was drier than both the 8-inch and 4-inch thresholds during August, September, and October, but was wetter than the 8-inch threshold during November with 13.76 inches of rainfall. Other stations in Micronesia that were below the 8-inch threshold in November include North Fanif (6.86 inches), Rumung (4.75 inches), and Ulithi (6.85 inches). All three of these stations were wetter than 8 inches in previous months.

As measured by percent of normal precipitation, Majuro and Yap were drier than normal in the short term (three-month time scale, September-November) but wetter than normal in the long term (year-to-date [January-November] and last 12 months [December 2013-November 2014]). Kapingamarangi was wetter than normal in the short term and drier than normal in the long term. Koror, Kosrae, and Pago Pago were drier than normal in both the short and long terms. The remaining primary stations were near to wetter than normal at all of these time scales.


Pacific Island Percent of 1981-2010 Normal Median Precipitation
Station Name Dec
2013
Jan
2014
Feb
2014
Mar
2014
Apr
2014
May
2014
Jun
2014
Jul
2014
Aug
2014
Sep
2014
Oct
2014
Nov
2014
Dec-
Nov
Chuuk75%59%492%89%111%116%76%125%121%166%120%66%120%
Guam NAS65%421%170%141%108%99%98%290%62%108%164%75%118%
Kapingamarangi254%168%112%81%43%83%56%86%96%109%130%140%95%
Koror64%170%91%68%224%63%57%121%77%137%63%54%87%
Kosrae87%86%104%82%150%93%117%175%59%77%114%68%85%
Kwajalein39%121%523%475%366%80%104%120%58%88%154%96%131%
Lukonor90%257%206%138%72%116%110%78%77%146%138%70%104%
Majuro51%125%177%91%246%75%90%201%82%134%88%66%113%
Pago Pago99%146%97%65%152%81%154%333%60%40%29%136%97%
Pohnpei36%78%225%112%87%87%121%108%74%128%100%108%98%
Saipan71%546%55%167%168%205%92%113%71%191%105%265%140%
Yap65%340%91%153%226%39%83%110%65%125%77%84%104%
Pacific Island Precipitation (Inches)
Station Name Dec
2013
Jan
2014
Feb
2014
Mar
2014
Apr
2014
May
2014
Jun
2014
Jul
2014
Aug
2014
Sep
2014
Oct
2014
Nov
2014
Dec-
Nov
Chuuk8.44"5.98"35.70"7.43"13.80"13.06"8.91"14.92"15.55"19.44"13.78"6.99"164"
Guam NAS3.33"16.89"5.14"2.91"2.74"3.36"6.08"29.39"9.08"13.66"18.77"5.51"116.86"
Kapingamarangi25.02"15.38"10.36"9.26"5.83"9.97"7.77"12.16"7.84"10.86"10.64"13.02"138.11"
Koror7.19"17.27"7.79"5.08"16.38"7.45"9.91"22.45"10.40"16.10"7.45"6.12"133.59"
Kosrae13.94"14.39"13.47"13.12"26.29"16.59"17.08"26.06"8.32"11.00"12.51"9.38"182.15"
Kwajalein2.62"3.81"13.82"11.17"19.24"5.36"7.22"11.88"5.61"9.49"17.17"10.80"118.19"
Lukonor10.11"21.65"18.42"12.76"8.18"13.58"12.85"12.50"10.80"14.79"15.57"6.37"157.58"
Majuro5.76"9.66"12.19"5.96"23.20"7.58"9.86"22.49"9.64"14.93"11.14"8.85"141.26"
Pago Pago12.71"19.54"11.65"6.95"14.29"7.84"8.22"18.48"3.22"2.60"2.68"13.76"121.94"
Pohnpei5.79"10.27"21.50"14.70"15.96"17.33"17.95"16.74"10.52"16.06"15.32"15.97"178.11"
Saipan2.74"13.81"1.43"3.16"4.41"4.87"3.32"10.04"9.33"19.31"11.15"14.87"98.44"
Yap5.56"21.74"4.72"6.99"12.72"3.07"9.95"16.62"9.58"16.89"9.34"7.40"124.58"
Pacific Island 1981-2010 Normal Median Precipitation (Inches)
Station Name Dec
2013
Jan
2014
Feb
2014
Mar
2014
Apr
2014
May
2014
Jun
2014
Jul
2014
Aug
2014
Sep
2014
Oct
2014
Nov
2014
Dec-
Nov
Chuuk11.25"10.10"7.25"8.32"12.47"11.30"11.66"11.98"12.86"11.71"11.51"10.61"136.77"
Guam NAS5.11"4.01"3.03"2.07"2.53"3.40"6.18"10.14"14.74"12.66"11.44"7.38"99.09"
Kapingamarangi9.84"9.15"9.27"11.43"13.64"12.08"13.78"14.15"8.13"9.93"8.19"9.27"145.85"
Koror11.16"10.18"8.56"7.44"7.32"11.83"17.48"18.53"13.50"11.77"11.84"11.39"152.90"
Kosrae16.11"16.67"12.93"16.06"17.51"17.75"14.64"14.91"14.22"14.22"10.94"13.83"213.87"
Kwajalein6.66"3.16"2.64"2.35"5.26"6.72"6.93"9.87"9.74"10.74"11.18"11.28"90.41"
Lukonor11.27"8.41"8.93"9.26"11.31"11.69"11.65"15.93"14.04"10.15"11.32"9.08"151.36"
Majuro11.39"7.74"6.88"6.58"9.42"10.11"11.01"11.17"11.69"11.17"12.73"13.44"125.25"
Pago Pago12.84"13.34"12.00"10.68"9.39"9.66"5.33"5.55"5.38"6.53"9.26"10.14"125.57"
Pohnpei16.08"13.18"9.55"13.17"18.41"19.96"14.81"15.43"14.26"12.55"15.27"14.83"182.36"
Saipan3.85"2.53"2.59"1.89"2.63"2.38"3.62"8.91"13.13"10.09"10.62"5.61"70.25"
Yap8.51"6.39"5.19"4.56"5.63"7.85"12.04"15.08"14.82"13.50"12.18"8.83"120.31"

Percent of normal precipitation for current month for U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island stations

Percent of normal precipitation for last 3 months for U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island stations

Percent of normal precipitation for the year to date for U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island stations

Percent of normal precipitation for last 12 months for U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island stations

[top]


State/Regional/National Moisture Status
A detailed review of drought and moisture conditions is available for all contiguous U.S. states, the nine standard regions, and the nation (contiguous U.S.):

States
alabama arizona arkansas california colorado connecticut
delaware florida georgia idaho illinois indiana
iowa kansas kentucky louisiana maine maryland
massachusetts michigan minnesota mississippi missouri montana
nebraska nevada new hampshire new jersey new mexico new york
north carolina north dakota ohio oklahoma oregon pennsylvania
rhode island south carolina south dakota tennessee texas utah
vermont virginia washington west virginia wisconsin wyoming

Regional
northeast u. s. east north central u. s. central u. s.
southeast u. s. west north central u. s. south u. s.
southwest u. s. northwest u. s. west u. s.

National
Contiguous United States

[top]


Contacts & Questions
For additional, or more localized, drought information, please visit:

Citing This Report

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Monthly Drought Report for November 2014, published online December 2014, retrieved on March 29, 2024 from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/drought/201411.