National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains, Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley, and the Southwest this week with limited nighttime relief. Thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding in portions of the Desert Southwest and central Plains. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the central Plains into the Northeast. Read More >

Drought typically refers to deficiency in precipitation, relative to the local area's climate, which persists over a period of time such that it causes a water shortage. This water shortage may impact streams & rivers, local water supplies, and agriculture.

Drought Information
 

The U.S. Drought Monitor
Static images. Overview of drought types and drought impacts updated weekly based upon a combination of sources.

Drought indeces
Static images. Derived from model output.

Fire weather forecasts
Static images. National forecasts of fire weather conditions from the NWS Storm Prediction Center

Severe Fire Potential Mapping System
Interactive maps of current fires and fire potential from the US Forecast Service.

CPC last month soil moisture percentile
Static images, no QC. Updated hourly. Raw model output should be used with caution.

CPC last month runoff percentile
Static images, no QC. Updated hourly. Raw model output should be used with caution.

CPC last month evaporation percentile
Static images, no QC. Updated hourly. Raw model output should be used with caution.