US Drought Monitor — Current Agricultural Conditions
Official drought conditions updated every Thursday by USDA, NOAA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Critical for planting decisions, irrigation management, and crop insurance documentation.
Map provided by the US Drought Monitor — droughtmonitor.unl.edu
Current Drought Map
Open Full Interactive Map →Map updated every Thursday. Source: US Drought Monitor (droughtmonitor.unl.edu) — a partnership of USDA, NOAA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center at University of Nebraska.
Drought Category Reference
Abnormally Dry
Short-term dryness slowing planting, pasture growth. Some soil moisture deficits.
Moderate Drought
Some crop damage, hay shortages developing. Stream flows below normal.
Severe Drought
Crop losses likely. Water shortages common. Wildfire risk elevated.
Extreme Drought
Major crop losses. Widespread water shortages. Emergency conditions possible.
Exceptional Drought
Exceptional and widespread crop losses. Water emergencies. Rare but devastating.
Key Agricultural Region Status
| Region | Drought Status | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Plains (TX, OK, KS) | D1–D2 | ▼ Worsening |
| Northern Plains (ND, SD, MT) | D0–D1 | → Stable |
| Southwest (NM, AZ, CO) | D2–D3 | ▼ Worsening |
| Pacific Northwest (WA, OR) | D0 | ▲ Improving |
| Corn Belt (IA, IL, IN, OH) | None | → Normal |
| Southeast (GA, FL, AL) | D0–D1 | → Watch |
Regional assessment as of February 2026. Updated weekly.
How Drought Affects Biological Fertilizer Performance
Drought Stress on Soil Biology
Soil microbial populations decline sharply when soil moisture drops below 30–40% of field capacity. Enzyme activity slows, nitrogen cycling decreases, and mycorrhizal networks become less effective at reaching water and nutrients. Drought years often look like nitrogen deficiency — but it's actually disrupted biological cycling.
Building Drought Resilience with Biologicals
Humic acid products (Super Hume, Huma K) improve soil water-holding capacity by 10–20%, helping soil retain moisture between rainfall events. Pervaide improves infiltration in compacted soils, allowing available water to penetrate rather than run off. Farms running 3+ year biological programs consistently report better performance in low-rainfall years than conventionally managed fields.
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