File:Drought Monitor Map - April 2022.png

Drought Monitor Map - U.S. - April 2022

Historic Drought Across the U.S. West

• https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/27/weather/gallery/western-drought-heat/index.html

• https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/17/weather/west-california-drought-maps/index.html

Six states are entirely in drought conditions. Across the US, the drought has nearly doubled in size from this time last year. Around 25% of the country was in drought conditions in July 2020; as of this week, nearly half is in drought.week, nearly half is in drought.

More than 25 percent of the West is in an exceptional drought, which is the most severe category used by the US Drought Monitor.(US Drought Monitor/CNN)

Climate change is playing a key role in these compounding crises: Drought and extreme heat are fueling wildfires; reduced snow pack and the lack of substantial extreme heat are fueling wildfires; reduced snow pack and the lack of substantial precipitation are exacerbating water demands for millions of people, as well as precipitation are exacerbating water demands for millions of people, as well as agriculture, ecosystems and deteriorating infrastructure.agriculture, ecosystems and deteriorating infrastructure.

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