Current Conditions:
Many areas of the continental United States are experiencing wet conditions, as snow melt and Spring rain bring soil conditions on the plus side of the Palmer Drought Severity Index. However, pockets across the country are facing some drought conditions. Particularly, Arkansas, portions of Eastern Texas, Louisiana, Western Tennessee, and Northern Mississippi are currently experiencing severe drought conditions. Portions of Colorado and New Mexico are also experiencing drought conditions. Here in the Northeast, Eastern portions of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are also facing mild drought conditions.
Seasonal Outlook:
Conditions are expected to improve in New England throughout May and June, with the possibility of mild drought conditions in Southern New York developing in June. The drought conditions currently in Southern Colorado are expected to expand into May, extending further into New Mexico, Texas, and Nebraska. The intensity of the dryness in Arkansas should lessen, though dry conditions will still be present, with relief expected in June. However, Southern Texas is expected to remain in drought conditions for at least the next two months. Oregon is also expected to remain dry for the foreseeable future.
These maps are the product of ECRL and Carlos Carrillo and were initiated with April 1st conditions using the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME). Below is the seasonal outlook from NOAA and the Climate Prediction Center.
