NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information
Issued 14 November 2024
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 Highlights
- Based on the Palmer Drought Index, severe to extreme drought affected about 18% of the contiguous United States as of the end of October 2024, an increase of about 8% from last month. About 0% of the contiguous U.S. fell in the severely to extremely wet categories.
- About 48% of the contiguous U.S. fell in the moderate to extreme drought categories (based on the Palmer Drought Index) at the end of October.
- On a broad scale, the 1980s and 1990s were characterized by unusual wetness with short periods of extensive droughts, the 1930s and 1950s were characterized by prolonged periods of extensive droughts with little wetness, and the first two decades of the 2000s saw extensive drought and extensive wetness (moderate to extreme drought graphic, severe to extreme drought graphic).
- A file containing the national monthly percent area severely dry and wet from 1900 to present is available for the severe to extreme and moderate to extreme categories.
- Historical temperature, precipitation, and Palmer drought data from 1895 to present for climate divisions, states, and regions in the contiguous U.S. are available at the Climate Division: Temperature-Precipitation-Drought Data page. These filenames begin with "climdiv".
- According to the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), as of October 29, 2024, 54.08% of the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) (45.27% of the U.S. including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico) was classified as experiencing moderate to exceptional (D1-D4) drought.
Detailed Drought Overview
The upper-level atmospheric circulation over North America during October 2024 was characterized by high pressure ridging that dominated much of the CONUS. During the first half of the month, weather systems moved along the northern states or across southern Canada in a generally zonal flow while ridging held sway over the southern states. The ridging and zonal flow brought drier- and warmer-than-normal weather to most of the CONUS. Hurricane Milton was an exception to this rule as it dropped heavy rain over the Florida peninsula when it crossed the state on October 9-10. The pattern became more meridional during the second half of the month, with troughs and closed lows penetrating southward as they migrated to the east, forcing amplified ridges ahead of them. The troughs and closed lows brought below-normal temperatures with them while the ridges resulted in above-normal temperatures. Surface low-pressure systems and fronts associated with the troughs and closed lows generated areas of above-normal precipitation, with the heaviest and most widespread precipitation occurring on the last day of the month.
When averaged across the month, the upper-level circulation pattern consisted of a fairly zonal flow with a ridge centered over the southern Plains and extending to the north over the Rockies. This pattern marked a considerable departure from normal and was associated with warmer-than-normal monthly temperatures and below-normal monthly precipitation for virtually the entire CONUS. The southern Plains to parts of the West had record warm monthly temperatures while parts of the southern Plains, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast experienced a record dry month. The relentless heat increased evapotranspiration which exacerbated the drought conditions. Soils dried across the CONUS, especially east of the Rockies (CPC model soil moisture anomaly and percentile maps, GRACE root zone and surface soil moisture, USDA topsoil and subsoil moisture, Crop-CASMA topsoil and subsoil moisture, SPoRT soil moisture maps at 0-10 cm, 0-40 cm, 0-100 cm, 0-200 cm depth); streamflow was reduced with record-low streamflow measured in the Northeast and parts of the Plains; large wildfires broke out in the West, Plains, Midwest, and Northeast; and hundreds of drought impact reports were received, especially from the Plains to East Coast, noting damage to crops and rangeland. Anomalous high-pressure ridging extended across the Caribbean, giving Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands a warmer- and mostly drier-than-normal month. Hawaii was mostly drier than normal while Alaska had a mixed temperature and precipitation anomaly pattern.
The dry conditions resulted in a massive expansion or intensification of drought and abnormal dryness across the CONUS and Hawaii, but especially in the Great Plains, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. The above-normal precipitation in parts of the West contracted or reduced the intensity of drought and abnormal dryness compared to the end of September. Drought expansion far exceeded contraction with the USDM-based national moderate-to-exceptional drought footprint across the CONUS increasing from 31.5% at the end of September to 54.1% at the end of October (from 26.4% to 45.3% for the 50 states and Puerto Rico). The change from 31.5% to 54.1%, or a difference of 22.6%, is the largest 4-week drought expansion in the 25-year USDM record. If abnormal dryness is included, 87.2% of the CONUS was abnormally dry or in drought at the end of October, which is the largest area for abnormal dryness plus drought on record.
According to the Palmer Drought Index, which goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, about 47.5% of the CONUS was in moderate to extreme drought at the end of October, which is nearly twice the value at the end of September.
Drought conditions at the end of October, as depicted on the October 29, 2024 USDM map, included the following core drought and abnormally dry areas:
- In the West, moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought covers about 58.6% of the Pacific Northwest, which is more than last month, and moderate to extreme (D3) drought affected about 36.1% of the Southwest (Four Corners states), which is also more than last month. For the West as a whole, the percent area experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to USDM statistics, increased from 37.4% at the end of September to 44.1% at the end of October. The most severe drought in the West was in western Montana, eastern Montana and Wyoming, north central Colorado, and southern New Mexico.
- Based on the Palmer Drought Index, the drought area across the West as a whole rose from 42.0% at the end of September (revised figure) to 72.0% at the end of October. Westwide, October 2024 ranked as the 34th driest and second warmest October in the 1895-2024 record, September-October ranked as the warmest such 2-month period, April-October ranked warmest and eighth driest, and the last 12 months ranked as the 45th driest and third warmest November-October.
- New Mexico set a new drought duration record at the end of October. According to USDM statistics, New Mexico has experienced moderate or worse drought for 367 weeks, beginning on October 24, 2017.
- In the Great Plains, moderate to exceptional drought covered about 74.5% of the central to northern Plains, which is a big jump compared to last month, and moderate to exceptional drought covered 75.9% of the southern Plains, which is also a huge increase from last month. The Lower Mississippi River Valley experienced a large increase in the drought area, going from 19.3% at the end of September to 47.7% at the end of October, more than double. Drought expanded its area in Tennessee this month, going from 18.9% at the end of September to 27.2% at the end of October. Taken together, the southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Tennessee (South region) saw the moderate to exceptional drought area double in size from 34.2% at the end of September to 67.8% at the end of October.
- Oklahoma set a new drought duration record at the end of October. According to USDM statistics, Oklahoma has experienced moderate or worse drought for 275 weeks, beginning on July 30, 2019.
- Texas set a new drought duration record at the end of October. According to USDM statistics, at least part of Texas has experienced moderate or worse drought for 284 weeks, beginning on May 28, 2019.
- In the Midwest, moderate to severe (D2) drought expanded in the Upper Midwest while moderate to exceptional drought continued in southeastern Ohio and extreme drought developed in southwest Missouri. The Midwest drought area almost trebled, increasing from 28.2% at the end of September to 74.5% at the end of October.
- Wisconsin set a new maximum drought coverage record on October 29 when moderate or worse drought affected 100% of the state.
- In the Southeast, a very dry October followed the September heavy rain from a cold front and Hurricane Helene. This caused drought and abnormal dryness to expand across much of the Southeast, with the drought area going from 5.7% at the end of September to 18.1% at the end of October. The percent area experiencing abnormal dryness and drought increased from 19.9% last month to 77% this month. Severe drought persisted in Alabama.
- The Northeast experienced a very dry start to the fall season. For the region as a whole, the drought area doubled, going from 19.3% at the end of September to 38.3% at the end of October. Moderate to severe drought expanded rapidly along the coast with exceptional drought continuing in West Virginia.
- Extreme drought returned to Hawaii, with the moderate to extreme drought area trebling, going from 16.4% at the end of September to 52.6% at the end of October.
- Abnormal dryness (D0) persisted in the Alaska panhandle, covering about 1.2% of the state at the end of October.
- In the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), 1 station was in moderate drought at the end of October. This compares to 1 station abnormally dry at the end of September.
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 may show less severe and extensive drought (as well as wet spell conditions) in some parts of the country than the PHDI map because the meteorological conditions that produce drought and wet spell conditions are not as long-lasting as the hydrological impacts.
Used together, the Palmer Z Index and PHDI maps show that short-term drought occurred across virtually the entire CONUS, expanding, intensifying, or introducing long-term drought areas and shrinking long-term wet areas (PHDI maps for October compared to September). Short-term wet conditions occurred in Florida and a few parts of the Four Corners states, introducing long-term wet conditions (Florida) or shrinking long-term drought (northeast New Mexico).
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.
The SPI maps illustrate how moisture conditions have varied considerably through time and space over the last two years:
- The Southeast was very dry at the 1-month time scale, with western parts dry at 3 months and a few areas dry at 6-24 months, but most of the Southeast (especially coastal areas) was wet at 2-24 months.
- Much of the Northeast was dry at 1- and 2-month time scales, with coastal areas dry at 3 to 6 months and Mid-Atlantic coastal parts dry at 9 months; most of the Northeast was wet at 12- and 24-month time scales.
- Parts to most of the West was dry at 1 to 6 months, with the Pacific Northwest dry at all time scales and parts of the Southwest dry at 9-24 months. California to the interior basin was wet at 24 months.
- The Midwest had dry conditions at 1-3 months, with parts of the Ohio Valley to central Appalachians dry at the longer time scales. The Upper Midwest had some wet conditions at 6-24 months.
- Most of the Great Plains was dry at 1-3 months, with parts (especially the central Plains) dry at the longer time scales. Wet conditions were evident in a few parts of the Plains at 6-9 months and more areas at the 12- to 24-month time scales. Parts to most of the Rio Grande River Valley was dry at all time scales.
Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index
The SPI measures water supply (precipitation), while the SPEI (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index) measures the combination of water supply (precipitation) and water demand (evapotranspiration as computed from temperature). Warmer temperatures tend to increase evapotranspiration, which generally makes droughts more intense.
For the Northern Hemisphere, October marks the middle of climatological autumn, which is the season when sun angle gets lower and temperatures and evapotranspiration begin their seasonal decline. During October 2024, however, temperatures were much warmer than normal across most of the CONUS, especially from the Southwest to Rockies, across the Great Plains, and into the Upper Midwest, with record warmth in the West and southern Plains. Evapotranspiration rates were unusually high in these areas. The month was also much drier than normal, with record dryness in parts of the South, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast; only the Florida peninsula and parts of the Southwest to central Rockies were wetter than normal. Where it was both hot and dry, the 1-month SPEI values were more extreme (dry) than the corresponding SPI, especially across parts of the West and much of the Plains.
Temperatures have been unusually warm for much of the last 12 months, especially in the West to Great Plains for the last 3 months and in the Southwest and Midwest to Northeast for the last 10 months. Dryness dominated the West, Plains, Midwest, and Northeast for the last 2 to 3 months, and parts of the West at 6 to 10 months. The heat made drought conditions worse, so the SPEI values were more extreme than the SPI values for these areas at these time scales (SPEI maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 months) (SPI maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 months).
The combination of heat and dryness in the Northeast for the last 1 to 2 months resulted in record low SPEI values and record low SPI values:
- Connecticut had a record dry 2-month October SPEI; the SPI was also record dry.
- Delaware had a record dry 1- and 2-month October SPEI; the 1- and 2-month SPI values were also record dry.
- New Jersey had a record dry 1- and 2-month October SPEI; the 1- and 2-month SPI values were also record dry.
The combination of heat and dryness in the Plains and Midwest for the last 1 to 2 months resulted in record low SPEI values but not record low SPI values:
- Minnesota had a record dry 2-month October SPEI, while the SPI was third driest on record.
- Nebraska had a record dry 2-month October SPEI, while the SPI was second driest on record.
- South Dakota had a record dry 2-month October SPEI, while the SPI ranked in the top 5 driest category.
- Texas had a record dry 1-month October SPEI, while the SPI was third driest.
The combination of heat and dryness in the West for the last 1 to 6 months resulted in record low SPEI values but not record low SPI values:
- Arizona had a record dry 2-, 3-, and 6-month SPEI, while the corresponding 2-, 3-, and 6-month SPI values ranked in the top 10 to top 20 category.
- California had a record dry 3- and 6-month SPEI, while the corresponding 3- and 6-month SPI values ranked in the top 5 to top 10 category.
- Nevada had a record dry 6-month SPEI, while the corresponding 6-month SPI ranked in the top 5 driest category.
The last 1 to 6 years have been unusually warm across most of the CONUS, with record heat in the Northeast to northern Plains and Midwest to southern Plains (state temperature rank maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years). Precipitation earlier in the year helped reduce deficits over the last 12 months. But the last 3 months (October 2024, September-October 2024, August-October 2024 precipitation anomaly maps) have been very dry across most of the CONUS (except for the coastal Southeast and a few areas in the West). For the last 12 months, dryness has dominated the central Appalachians, parts of the Ohio Valley, large parts of the West, and parts of the Plains and Tennessee Valley to Gulf of Mexico coast. The last 2 years have been very dry in the Pacific Northwest, central Appalachians, Ohio Valley, and parts of the central Plains and Southwest; the last 3 years were dry in these areas and the southern Plains and Mid-Atlantic coast; and the last 4 to 5 years have been quite dry in the West to Great Plains (state precipitation rank maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years). In the last 1 to 6 years, the SPEI is more extreme than the SPI in the Pacific Northwest and central Appalachians to Tennessee Valleys, but especially in the Southwest to Lower Mississippi Valley. In the western U.S., where drought has dominated for much of the last 20 years, the combination of excessive heat and dryness has resulted in more extreme SPEI values than SPI values in parts of the West for the last 2 to 6 years, especially at the longer time scales (SPEI maps for last 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 months) (SPI maps for last 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 months).
A focus of the heat and dryness over the last 6 years has been the Lower Rio Grande Valley, as illustrated by the Texas Trans Pecos (Texas climate division 5). The Trans Pecos division has had record low SPEI values for the last 18-60 months while the SPI has been dry but not record dry. At the 60-month time scale, the SPEI (the combination of persistent heat and dryness) is exceeds the magnitude of the lengthy record droughts of the early 2000s and 1950s, whereas the SPI (just the persistently low precipitation) is nowhere near as extreme or persistent as the dryness in the early 2000s and 1950s:
- The Trans Pecos had a record dry 18-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month SPEI, while the SPI was not record dry for those periods (18, 24, 36, 48, 60 months).
Regional Discussion
Several river basins have experienced very dry and hot conditions during October, the last several months, or for the last year or longer.
Rio Grande River Basin
The Rio Grande River Basin had the warmest and 25th driest October in the 1895-2024 record. August-October ranked tenth driest, and the last 12 months (November 2023-October 2024) were warmest on record and 30th driest. Based on the USDM, 55.2% of the basin was in moderate to exceptional drought at the end of October, which is more than last month. Based on the Palmer Drought Index, 77.9% of the basin was in moderate to extreme drought, which is the same as last month.
New England River Basin
The New England River Basin had the 19th warmest and eighth driest October in the 1895-2024 record. September-October ranked driest and ninth warmest, and the last 12 months (November 2023-October 2024) were warmest on record and 32nd wettest. Based on the USDM, 31.0% of the basin was in moderate to exceptional drought at the end of October, which is more than last month. Based on the Palmer Drought Index, 20.9% of the basin was in moderate to extreme drought at the end of October, which is more than last month (the percent area was 0% at the end of September).
Great Lakes Basin
The Great Lakes Basin had the tenth warmest and 13th driest October in the 1895-2024 record. September-October ranked fifth driest, August-October was 11th driest, and the last 12 months (November 2023-October 2024) were warmest on record and 58th wettest. Based on the USDM, 62.6% of the basin was in moderate to exceptional drought at the end of October, which is more than last month. Based on the Palmer Drought Index, 52.6% of the basin was in moderate to extreme drought, which is almost six times as much as last month.
Ohio River Basin
The Ohio River Basin had the 22nd warmest and third driest October in the 1895-2024 record. June-October ranked 18th driest, January-October was warmest on record, and the last 12 months (November 2023-October 2024) were third warmest and 33rd driest. Based on the USDM, 42.6% of the basin was in moderate to exceptional drought at the end of October, which is more than last month. Based on the Palmer Drought Index, 47.3% of the basin was in moderate to extreme drought, which is more than last month.
Upper Mississippi River Basin
The Upper Mississippi River Basin had the ninth warmest and 16th driest October in the 1895-2024 record. September-October ranked fourth driest and fourth warmest, August-October was eighth driest and sixth warmest, and the last 12 months (November 2023-October 2024) were second warmest and 40th wettest. Based on the USDM, 89.0% of the basin was in moderate to exceptional drought at the end of October, which is three times the amount from last month. Based on the Palmer Drought Index, 9.1% of the basin was in moderate to extreme drought, which is more than last month (zero percent of the basin was in drought at the end of September).
Missouri River Basin
The Missouri River Basin had the third warmest and 13th driest October in the 1895-2024 record. September-October ranked second warmest and fifth driest, July-October was second warmest and 12th driest, and the last 12 months (November 2023-October 2024) were third warmest and 36th driest. Based on the USDM, 80.3% of the basin was in moderate to exceptional drought at the end of October, which is more than last month. Based on the Palmer Drought Index, 62.0% of the basin was in moderate to extreme drought, which is double the amount from last month.
Hawaii
Drier-than-normal conditions dominated the Hawaiian Islands during October 2024 and for the last 2 months. The Big Island was mostly wetter than normal with drier-than-normal conditions dominating the western islands at the 3- to 4-month time scales. Oahu and much of the Big Island were wetter than normal at the 6- to 12-month time scales with drier-than-normal conditions dominating on the other main islands. A mixed precipitation anomaly pattern was evident at 24-36 months, with drier-than-normal conditions dominating at longer time scales (precipitation anomaly maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months) (climate engine model percent of normal precipitation map for the last month).
Monthly streamflow was generally near normal on most islands, except mostly below normal on Kauai. Based on satellite analyses (stressed vegetation, drought stress, VHI), vegetation was stressed on parts of all of the islands.
Drought expanded in Hawaii this month, covering about 52.6% of the state on the October 29, 2024 USDM map.
Alaska
October 2024 and the last 2 months were drier than normal across western Alaska, the Aleutians, and parts of the Gulf Coast, Cook Inlet, and Panhandle. Dryness was limited to southern areas (Aleutians, Gulf Coast, Panhandle) and some eastern interior areas at 3- to 10-month time scales. Below-normal precipitation was mostly limited to the Aleutians at longer time scales. The snow water content (SWE) is above average in most basins where snow has fallen (low elevation station precipitation anomaly maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months) (high elevation SNOTEL station SWE percent of average map for the last month) (SNOTEL basin and station SWE percent of average map for the last month) (climate division precipitation rank maps for the last 1, 3, 6, 10, and 12 months) (climate engine model percent of normal precipitation map for the last month) (Leaky Bucket model precipitation percentile map).
October temperatures averaged near to cooler than normal in central to eastern parts of the state and warmer than normal in the west. A mixed temperature anomaly pattern developed across the state at the 2- to 3-month time scales, with warmer-than-average temperatures dominating in the north and parts of the south. A mixed pattern of above- and below-normal temperatures persisted at the 4- to 10-month time scales and dominated the east at 12 months, while above-average temperatures spread across the central to eastern parts of the state at 6 months and across the state by 10-12 months. This difference is due to the normals being based on the most recent three decades (1991-2020), the long-term averages are based on the 1925-2024 period, and a pronounced warming trend has occurred in recent decades (low elevation station temperature anomaly maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 months) (climate division temperature rank maps for the last 1, 3, 6, 10, and 12 months) (gridded temperature percentile maps for the last 1, 3, and 10 months) (Leaky Bucket model temperature percentile map).
Monthly streamflow, for those streams that haven't frozen over, was below normal for streams in the Kenai Peninsula, but most streams were near to above normal. Satellite observations of vegetative health (stressed vegetation, drought stress, VHI) revealed few areas of stressed vegetation.
A small area of abnormal dryness persisted in the southern Panhandle, covering about 1.2% of the state on the October 29, 2024 USDM map.
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
October 2024 and the last 2 months were mostly drier than normal over Puerto Rico (PR) with a mixed precipitation anomaly pattern over the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Wetter-than-normal precipitation dominated the USVI and eastern PR at the 3- to 4-month time scales, with a mixed to wet anomaly pattern prevailing at 5 to 12 months. Wet and dry anomaly patterns oscillated at longer time periods (low elevation station precipitation anomaly maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months) (climate engine model percent of normal precipitation map for the last month: PR and USVI, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico region).
Temperatures were generally warmer than normal for the last 1 to 12 months (low elevation station temperature anomaly maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 months).
Root zone analysis indicated that soil conditions were mostly wet except for some small areas along the northwestern and southern coasts of PR (root zone soil saturation fraction). Satellite observations of vegetative health (stressed vegetation for PR and USVI, drought stress for PR and USVI, VHI for PR and USVI) revealed few if any areas of stressed vegetation. Monthly streamflow on PR showed mostly near-normal stream levels. In the USVI, groundwater levels fell in early October then rapidly rose late in the month at St. Thomas, fell for most of the month then started rising at the end of the month at St. John, and mostly held steady at St. Croix. The end-of-October groundwater level was in the middle third of the recent historical record at St. Croix, but continued in the upper third at St. John and St. Thomas.
A small (8.0%) area of abnormal dryness continued on PR, but the USVI continued free of drought and abnormal dryness on the October 29, 2024 USDM map.
CONUS State Precipitation Ranks
October 2024 was drier than normal across most of the CONUS, except for Florida and the Southwest, with record dryness occurring in parts of the Plains, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. All but seven of the Lower 48 States had a precipitation rank in the driest third of the historical record for October. About half of those (21) ranked in the top ten driest category, including two that had the driest October on record — Delaware and New Jersey — and seven that ranked second driest — Connecticut, Massachusetts, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.
The last three months had areas that were wetter than normal (Southeast, a few areas in the West), but, in general, August-October 2024 was drier than normal across most of the rest of the CONUS, with record dryness occurring locally in the Plains, Southwest, Upper Midwest, and Northeast. Three-fourths (37) of the Lower 48 States had a precipitation rank in the driest third of the 1895-2024 record for August-October. Eight ranked in the top ten driest category — Delaware (driest on record), Nebraska and Texas (both fifth driest), Iowa and New Jersey (both sixth driest), Michigan and Minnesota (both ninth driest), and Oklahoma (tenth driest).
May-October 2024 was drier than normal across much of the West, Plains, and Northeast, the Ohio Valley to central Appalachians, and parts of the Deep South. Half (24) of the Lower 48 States had a precipitation rank in the driest third of the 130-year record for May-October. Five ranked in the top ten driest category — Delaware (fifth driest); New Jersey, Nevada, and California (all sixth driest); and Arizona (eighth driest).
Wet conditions earlier in the year resulted in precipitation ranks that were not so dry at longer time scales. January-October 2024 was drier than normal in parts of the West, Plains, and central Appalachians. Ten states had a precipitation rank in the driest third of the historical record for January-October, and none ranked in the top ten or even top 20 driest category.
November 2023-October 2024 was drier than normal across much of the West and parts of the Plains and Ohio Valley to central Gulf of Mexico coast states. Eight states had a precipitation rank in the driest third of the historical record for November-October, but none ranked in the top ten driest category. Very dry conditions occurred in parts of some western and southern Plains states, but wet conditions in other parts counterbalanced the dryness which moderated the statewide ranks.
Agricultural Belts
During October 2024, the Primary Hard Red Winter Wheat agricultural belt was warmer and drier than normal. The month ranked as the 12th driest and third warmest October, regionwide, in the 1895-2024 record.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as of October 29, 2024, drought affected approximately 30% of barley production, 81% of corn production, 45% of cotton production, 59% of sorghum production, 73% of soybean production, 40% of spring wheat production, 62% of winter wheat production, 63% of hay acreage, 62% of the cattle inventory, 46% of the milk cow inventory, and 52% of the sheep inventory. All of these values are higher than they were at the end of last month.
Based on October 27 USDA statistics, 23% of the winter wheat crop and 51% of the pasture and rangeland were in poor to very poor condition, and 73% of the nation's topsoil and 68% of the subsoil were short or very short of moisture (dry or very dry). At the end of October (October 27), USDA analyses showed that the nation's pasture and rangeland were in the second worst condition in the 2010-2024 record and the percent area of the nation's topsoil short or very short of moisture reached the highest value in the 2015-2024 record. Rain the following week improved topsoil moisture in some areas, but the percent area was still record high for early November.
U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands
The NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) offices, the Pacific ENSO Applications Climate Center (PEAC), and partners provided reports on conditions across the Pacific Islands.
In the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) (maps — Federated States of Micronesia [FSM], Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands [RMI], Republic of Palau [ROP], American Samoa, basinwide), October 2024 was wetter than normal in the Marianas and at Yap, Kosrae, and Majuro, but drier than normal at the rest of the main USAPI stations.
Monthly precipitation amounts were below the monthly minimum needed to meet most water needs (4 inches in the Marianas and Pago Pago, and 8 inches elsewhere) at Lukunor and Kapingamarangi in the FSM, and at Jaluit in the Marshall Islands. October precipitation was above the monthly minimums in American Samoa, Palau, the Marianas, and the rest of the FSM and Marshalls. The 4- and 8-inch thresholds are important because, if monthly precipitation falls below the threshold, then water shortages or drought become a concern.
In the table below, the station identified as Koror is Palau International Airport (Airai).
| Station Name | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | Jun 2024 | Jul 2024 | Aug 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov- Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuuk | 141% | 100% | 100% | 76% | 40% | 99% | 95% | 132% | 128% | 80% | 150% | 84% | 100% |
| Guam NAS | 84% | 107% | 59% | 62% | 78% | 283% | 112% | 129% | 74% | 101% | 193% | 158% | 102% |
| Kapingamarangi | 153% | 74% | 188% | 206% | 196% | 99% | 95% | 48% | 65% | 28% | 121% | 37% | 95% |
| Koror | 85% | 67% | 136% | 140% | 48% | 184% | 59% | 98% | 106% | 62% | 149% | 99% | 92% |
| Kosrae | 163% | 44% | 90% | 119% | 96% | 84% | 124% | 109% | 154% | 65% | 77% | 119% | 86% |
| Kwajalein | 156% | 111% | 53% | 52% | 196% | 80% | 166% | 147% | 111% | 87% | 73% | 99% | 107% |
| Lukonor | 81% | 94% | 64% | 76% | 153% | 164% | 150% | 113% | 58% | 52% | 127% | 60% | 86% |
| Majuro | 101% | 70% | 57% | 74% | 16% | 111% | 150% | 99% | 79% | 61% | 138% | 117% | 92% |
| Pago Pago | 36% | 195% | 142% | 201% | 71% | 115% | 211% | 186% | 81% | 124% | 247% | 45% | 121% |
| Pohnpei | 178% | 48% | 50% | 170% | 91% | 116% | 121% | 104% | 137% | 49% | 117% | 98% | 103% |
| Saipan | 133% | 158% | 74% | 79% | 83% | 67% | 53% | 213% | 42% | 69% | 157% | 233% | 118% |
| Yap | 79% | 41% | 90% | 55% | 14% | 33% | 77% | 55% | 134% | 83% | 185% | 126% | 89% |
| Station Name | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | Jun 2024 | Jul 2024 | Aug 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov- Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuuk | 14.93" | 11.22" | 10.05" | 5.49" | 3.30" | 12.38" | 10.76" | 15.38" | 15.37" | 10.32" | 17.52" | 9.69" | 136.41" |
| Guam NAS | 6.18" | 5.49" | 2.38" | 1.88" | 1.62" | 7.17" | 3.82" | 8.00" | 7.51" | 14.84" | 24.38" | 18.09" | 101.36" |
| Kapingamarangi | 14.14" | 7.33" | 17.18" | 19.05" | 22.43" | 13.53" | 11.42" | 6.59" | 9.21" | 2.29" | 11.97" | 3.05" | 138.19" |
| Koror | 9.65" | 7.46" | 13.85" | 11.97" | 3.56" | 13.44" | 7.01" | 17.05" | 19.72" | 8.40" | 17.56" | 11.72" | 141.39" |
| Kosrae | 22.60" | 7.06" | 15.04" | 15.43" | 15.34" | 14.64" | 21.96" | 16.03" | 22.99" | 9.21" | 10.92" | 13.05" | 184.27" |
| Kwajalein | 17.65" | 7.42" | 1.66" | 1.37" | 4.61" | 4.19" | 11.17" | 10.17" | 10.98" | 8.43" | 7.82" | 11.02" | 96.49" |
| Lukonor | 7.40" | 10.54" | 5.42" | 6.83" | 14.20" | 18.58" | 17.54" | 13.12" | 9.21" | 7.25" | 12.85" | 6.77" | 129.71" |
| Majuro | 13.51" | 7.96" | 4.38" | 5.11" | 1.08" | 10.43" | 15.17" | 10.92" | 8.85" | 7.14" | 15.40" | 14.85" | 114.8" |
| Pago Pago | 3.69" | 25.00" | 18.99" | 24.09" | 7.61" | 10.83" | 20.37" | 9.91" | 4.50" | 6.68" | 16.11" | 4.20" | 151.98" |
| Pohnpei | 26.39" | 7.76" | 6.65" | 16.27" | 12.02" | 21.36" | 24.07" | 15.34" | 21.09" | 7.02" | 14.73" | 14.98" | 187.68" |
| Saipan | 7.44" | 6.07" | 1.87" | 2.05" | 1.57" | 1.76" | 1.26" | 7.71" | 3.74" | 9.10" | 15.88" | 24.74" | 83.19" |
| Yap | 6.95" | 3.53" | 5.73" | 2.84" | 0.64" | 1.83" | 6.03" | 6.61" | 20.23" | 12.28" | 25.01" | 15.35" | 107.03" |
| Station Name | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | Jun 2024 | Jul 2024 | Aug 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov- Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuuk | 10.61" | 11.25" | 10.10" | 7.25" | 8.32" | 12.47" | 11.30" | 11.66" | 11.98" | 12.86" | 11.71" | 11.51" | 136.77" |
| Guam NAS | 7.38" | 5.11" | 4.01" | 3.03" | 2.07" | 2.53" | 3.40" | 6.18" | 10.14" | 14.74" | 12.66" | 11.44" | 99.09" |
| Kapingamarangi | 9.27" | 9.84" | 9.15" | 9.27" | 11.43" | 13.64" | 12.08" | 13.78" | 14.15" | 8.13" | 9.93" | 8.19" | 145.85" |
| Koror | 11.39" | 11.16" | 10.18" | 8.56" | 7.44" | 7.32" | 11.83" | 17.48" | 18.53" | 13.50" | 11.77" | 11.84" | 152.90" |
| Kosrae | 13.83" | 16.11" | 16.67" | 12.93" | 16.06" | 17.51" | 17.75" | 14.64" | 14.91" | 14.22" | 14.22" | 10.94" | 213.87" |
| Kwajalein | 11.28" | 6.66" | 3.16" | 2.64" | 2.35" | 5.26" | 6.72" | 6.93" | 9.87" | 9.74" | 10.74" | 11.18" | 90.41" |
| Lukonor | 9.08" | 11.27" | 8.41" | 8.93" | 9.26" | 11.31" | 11.69" | 11.65" | 15.93" | 14.04" | 10.15" | 11.32" | 151.36" |
| Majuro | 13.44" | 11.39" | 7.74" | 6.88" | 6.58" | 9.42" | 10.11" | 11.01" | 11.17" | 11.69" | 11.17" | 12.73" | 125.25" |
| Pago Pago | 10.14" | 12.84" | 13.34" | 12.00" | 10.68" | 9.39" | 9.66" | 5.33" | 5.55" | 5.38" | 6.53" | 9.26" | 125.57" |
| Pohnpei | 14.83" | 16.08" | 13.18" | 9.55" | 13.17" | 18.41" | 19.96" | 14.81" | 15.43" | 14.26" | 12.55" | 15.27" | 182.36" |
| Saipan | 5.61" | 3.85" | 2.53" | 2.59" | 1.89" | 2.63" | 2.38" | 3.62" | 8.91" | 13.13" | 10.09" | 10.62" | 70.25" |
| Yap | 8.83" | 8.51" | 6.39" | 5.19" | 4.56" | 5.63" | 7.85" | 12.04" | 15.08" | 14.82" | 13.50" | 12.18" | 120.31" |
As measured by percent of normal precipitation, Kapingamarangi and Lukunor were drier than normal at all time scales in the short term (October and the last 3 months [August-October]) and long term (year to date [January-October] and last 12 months [November 2023-October 2024]). Airai was near to drier than normal at all 4 time periods. Kosrae and Majuro were drier than normal for 3 time periods and wetter than normal for October. Kwajalein was drier than normal for 3 time periods and wetter than normal for the 12-month time period. Pohnpei was near to drier than normal in the short-term but near normal in the long-term. Yap was drier than normal in the long-term but wetter than normal in the short-term. Chuuk was drier than normal for October and the year to date but near normal for the other 2 time periods. Pago Pago was drier than normal for October but wetter than normal for the other 3 time periods. Guam and Saipan were near to wetter than normal for all 4 time periods.
Based on percent of normal average (instead of normal median values), in the Marianas Islands, October and the last 2 to 3 months were generally wetter than normal across the main islands. Rota was drier than normal but the other main islands were wetter than normal at the 4- to 10-month time scales, with a mixed precipitation anomaly pattern at 12 months. Wetter-than-normal conditions dominated at 24 to 36 months, with a mixed anomaly pattern at longer time periods (percent of normal precipitation maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months).
Based on percent of normal average (instead of normal median values), the Marshall Islands had a mixed precipitation anomaly pattern at all time scales from 1 to 60 months except drier-than-normal conditions dominated at 9 to 24 months (percent of normal precipitation maps for the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months).
According to the October 31 USDM produced for the USAPI:
- The Marianas, Palau, and American Samoa continued free of drought and abnormal dryness;
- In the FSM, moderate drought returned to Kapingamarangi while the rest of the main islands remained free of drought and abnormal dryness;
- In the Marshalls, abnormal dryness ended at Jaluit, making all of the main islands free of drought and abnormal dryness.
The level of the reservoir on Majuro began the month at 29.6 million gallons, reached a low value of 28.2 million gallons on the 5th, oscillated up and down for the next 2 weeks, then rose to a peak of 32.7 million gallons on the 25th before ending the month at 32.0 million gallons. If the reservoir dips below 28.8 million gallons, drought becomes a concern. Satellite observations of vegetative health (drought stress, stressed vegetation, VHI) revealed no areas of stressed vegetation on Guam.
October 2024 precipitation ranks ranged from dry to wet, based on data available at the time of this report. Some locations have had dry conditions for several months:
- Lukunor: sixth driest October (in a 40-year record), fifth driest July-October and June-October.
- Pago Pago: seventh driest October (59 years), but third wettest December-October.
- Pingelap: ninth driest October (41 years) and third driest September-October.
- Kapingamarangi: tenth driest October (35 years), and sixth driest May-October and April-October.
- Jaluit: 13th driest October (41 years), but fourth driest June-October, May-October, April-October, and February-October, and sixth driest November-October.
- Kosrae: 31st driest October (56 years), but ninth driest August-October and seventh driest December-October.
At the wet end of the scale:
- Saipan (44 years) and Woleai (40 years) had the wettest October, Nukuoro had the third wettest October (42 years), Yap had the third wettest September-October (74 years), and the aforementioned Pago Pago with the third wettest December-October.
The following analysis of historical data for the USAPI stations in the Global Historical Climatology Network-Daily (GHCN-D) dataset, augmented with fill-in data from the 1981-2010 Normals, helps put the current data into historical perspective by computing ranks based on the period of record. The table below lists the precipitation ranks for October 2024, May-October 2024 (last 6 months), and November 2023-October 2024 (the last 12 months). Some stations have a long period of record and their dataset is fairly complete, while other stations have a shorter period of record and the dataset has some missing data.
| Station | October 2024 | May-Oct 2024 | Nov 2023-Oct 2024 | Period of Record | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Years | Rank | Years | Rank | Years | ||
| Ailinglaplap | 32 | 41 | 33 | 40 | 30 | 38 | 1981-2024 |
| Airai | 31 | 74 | 26 | 72 | 30 | 72 | 1951-2024 |
| Chuuk | 20 | 74 | 36 | 73 | 27 | 73 | 1951-2024 |
| Fananu | -- | 9 | -- | 4 | -- | 2 | 2003-2023 |
| Guam | 59 | 68 | 53 | 68 | 37 | 67 | 1957-2024 |
| Jaluit | 13 | 41 | 4 | 40 | 6 | 38 | 1981-2024 |
| Kapingamarangi | 10 | 35 | 6 | 24 | 10 | 23 | 1962-2024 |
| Kosrae | 31 | 56 | 25 | 45 | 12 | 38 | 1954-2024 |
| Kwajalein | 33 | 73 | 37 | 73 | 34 | 72 | 1952-2024 |
| Lukunor | 6 | 40 | 8 | 28 | 13 | 28 | 1981-2024 |
| Majuro | 42 | 71 | 36 | 70 | 14 | 70 | 1954-2024 |
| Mili | -- | 40 | -- | 38 | -- | 35 | 1981-2024 |
| Nukuoro | 40 | 42 | 26 | 40 | 16 | 39 | 1981-2024 |
| Pago Pago | 7 | 59 | 48 | 59 | 52 | 58 | 1966-2024 |
| Pingelap | 9 | 41 | -- | 38 | -- | 34 | 1981-2024 |
| Pohnpei | 33 | 74 | 30 | 73 | 37 | 73 | 1951-2024 |
| Saipan | 44 | 44 | 40 | 44 | 31 | 35 | 1981-2024 |
| Ulithi | 21 | 41 | 28 | 39 | 10 | 35 | 1981-2024 |
| Utirik | -- | 18 | -- | 6 | -- | 2 | 1985-2020 |
| Woleai | 40 | 40 | -- | 29 | -- | 28 | 1968-2024 |
| Wotje | 26 | 41 | 15 | 40 | 11 | 37 | 1981-2024 |
| Yap | 52 | 74 | 58 | 73 | 16 | 73 | 1951-2024 |
SPI values for seven time periods for Pacific Islands, computed by the Honolulu NWS office:
NOAA Regional Climate Centers
More information, provided by the NOAA Regional Climate Centers and others, can be found below.
Southeast
As noted by the Southeast Regional Climate Center, mean temperatures were above average across most of the Southeast in October, but it was truly feast or famine across the region regarding precipitation, with several locations recording one of their driest months on record.
October began with abnormal dryness (D0) and pockets of moderate (D1) drought covering most of Alabama and parts of Virginia. By the end of the month, abnormal dryness (D0) covered the western panhandle of Florida and most of Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as a good portion of North Carolina. Moderate (D1) drought expanded across Alabama and emerged across eastern sections of South Carolina and Virginia. Areas of severe (D2) drought emerged across southern and northern portions of Alabama. In Puerto Rico, small areas of abnormal dryness (D0) were found across the southern and northern coasts. On the other hand, most of Florida, central North Carolina, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were free of any drought or abnormal dryness during the month.
Dry conditions across much of the region negatively impacted agriculture, particularly peanut and livestock farming. Hard soils delayed peanut harvests, leading to reports of leaf spot. Livestock operators, already affected by Hurricane Helene, faced further challenges as drought-stressed pastures deteriorated, forcing many to feed winter hay earlier than planned. In severely impacted areas, some farmers chose to sell off herds rather than incur the costs of feed shortages. The dry weather following Helene also hindered the planting of winter grazing crops. Many producers delayed seeding of wheat and other grains, worried that drought would prevent germination. Armyworm infestations compounded the situation by damaging already stressed pastures, further straining hay reserves. With pastures struggling to recover, cattle producers had to dip into hay supplies sooner than expected, which could leave many without sufficient forage through the winter. Additionally, dryland crops such as corn, cotton, and sorghum reported below-average yields due to lack of moisture.
South
As explained by the Southern Regional Climate Center, the coverage and intensity of drought increased across the Southern region during October, with near-record temperatures and record dryness in many locations.
As of October 29th, 32 percent of the Southern region remained free of drought, down from 66 percent on October 1st according to the USDM. There was widespread degradation of drought conditions across the Southern region and no notable areas of improvement during October. Some areas of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas saw as many as three classes of degradation. As of October 29th: 25 percent of the region is in Moderate Drought, 28 percent in Severe Drought, 12 percent in Extreme Drought, and 2 percent in Exceptional Drought. Extreme or Exceptional drought is currently restricted to parts of Northern Texas, Southern Oklahoma, Northeastern Oklahoma, Northwestern Arkansas, Central Texas, and Far West Texas. With lack of precipitation, hot temperatures, and drought expansion, impacts are being felt across the region. Reports of needing supplemental feed for livestock and hauling water are widespread, though no significant herd reductions have taken place to date. Low inflows into reservoirs and high evaporation rates have led to issues with municipal water supplies in Ballinger, Texas where the city has had to install a floating pump station as the normal water intake is dry. The Highland Lakes in Texas saw their 4th lowest October inflows on record.
Midwest
As described by the Midwest Regional Climate Center, the preliminary average October temperature for the Midwest was 55.8 degrees F (13.2 degrees C), which was 4.4 degrees F (2.4 degrees C) above the 1991-2020 normal, and the preliminary October precipitation totaled 1.18 inches (30 mm) for the Midwest, which was 1.92 inches (49 mm) below normal, or 38 percent of normal. Preliminary rankings indicate the Midwest as a whole had its 9th driest October on record. The lack of October rainfall was widespread and severe regionwide. Only a narrow swath from northwest Missouri to east-central Wisconsin had near-normal precipitation.
The month ended with about 97 percent of the Midwest classified as abnormally dry or in drought, according to the USDM map, which was about an 18 percent expansion compared to the start of October. Exceptional (D4) drought remained widespread across southeast Ohio, and extreme (D3) drought emerged in southwest Missouri. Moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought blanketed the central and upper Midwest, while areas adjacent to the Ohio River were abnormally dry.
Northeast
As summarized by the Northeast Regional Climate Center, a historically dry October, which set records for all-time driest month and was the first month on record to have no measurable precipitation for a few sites, led to intensifying drought conditions in the Northeast.
The USDM from October 1 showed 19 percent of the Northeast in drought and 35 percent of the region as abnormally dry. Exceptional drought was found in West Virginia, while extreme drought was present in that state plus western Maryland and a sliver of southwestern Pennsylvania. Severe and moderate drought surrounded this area of extreme drought, with moderate drought also covering parts of the Northeast's southeastern corner (including parts of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey) and sections of coastal New England. Meanwhile, abnormal dryness was present in all 12 Northeast states.
October was an exceptionally dry month for many areas, becoming the all-time driest month on record for eight major climate sites and the driest October on record for two additional major climate sites. This lack of precipitation allowed drought and abnormal dryness to rapidly expand, particularly in coastal areas, during October. Exceptional drought persisted in West Virginia, while extreme, severe, and moderate drought lingered in the region's southwestern corner. As of October 29, it was the 16th consecutive week with extreme or worse drought conditions in West Virginia, extending the state's longest such stretch since the USDM began in 2000. The previous longest stretch was nine weeks in 2002. Severe drought took hold in the region's southeastern corner and parts of coastal New England, while moderate drought expanded in areas closer to the coast from Maryland to Maine. Abnormal dryness also expanded in most Northeast states. The USDM from October 29 showed 38 percent of the Northeast in drought and 41 percent of the region as abnormally dry.
There was a multitude of impacts tied to the dry conditions. Streamflow and/or groundwater levels were much below normal or record low in multiple parts of the region, especially at month's end. Reservoir levels also declined, including those that service the New York City area. In New Jersey, the Manasquan Reservoir was reported to be at record-low levels in mid-October, while the Spruce Run Reservoir was at 36.6% of capacity. Mandatory water restrictions were enacted in some locations including several southeastern Pennsylvania communities and Worcester, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, many residents in dry areas were asked to conserve waters.
Reduced water levels related to the drought conditions in New Jersey made cranberry harvest slower and more difficult. USDA crop reports showed 98 percent of Delaware, 91 percent of New Jersey and Maryland, 89 percent of West Virginia, and 79 percent of Massachusetts having topsoil moisture in the very short-short categories, the driest two categories, for the week ending October 27. The condition of corn, hay, pastures, and soybeans in West Virginia remained in the very poor, poor, and fair categories, with none of these crops in the good or excellent categories -- similar to the past few weeks. Pasture and rangeland conditions deteriorated in a few states, being in the poor or very poor categories for 96 percent of West Virginia, 57 percent of Maryland, and 42 percent of New Jersey. A press release from Delaware officials noted, "Presently some soils are so dry that cover crops and small grains that are being seeded do not have enough moisture to germinate. These crops are important to help retain nutrients thereby protecting groundwater and surface waters. If they can't be established, we lose that ability." Some growers irrigated crops this fall due to the prolonged dry conditions. As grain harvest occurred in the Mid-Atlantic, the effects of dry conditions on crops became more apparent, varying from farm to farm in some cases. For instance, impacts such as soybean pods that did not produce beans in West Virginia, reduced yields and quality issues of soybeans in parts of Pennsylvania, and reduced yields of corn in parts of Delaware were noted. Drought conditions also continued to stress livestock. Other concerns related to the dry conditions included reduced honey yields, that Christmas trees would not be able to retain their needles as well, delayed planting or failure of cover crops this fall, and the potential for fewer flower buds on fruit trees next year. However, some New Jersey vintners noted that the dryness should contribute to grapes with higher sugar content which produce better-tasting wines. West Virginia's legislature passed a bill providing $10 million in drought relief funds to help farmers.
Many areas had an increase in wildfire activity. New Jersey saw hundreds of wildfires over the past month, including over 100 fires in a week around mid-October, with some parts of the state experiencing poor air quality due to the smoke. Connecticut officials were dealing with more than 70 fires as of late October, with five firefighters injured battling a fire. Dozens of fires burned in Massachusetts, with the smoke reducing air quality in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire and causing students to be dismissed early or relocated. There were 34 fires in Maine during the last weekend of October, while multiple fires broke out in New Hampshire communities during the same weekend. New York also fought multiple large wildfires during the last week of October. The dry conditions also allowed fires that ignited to burn deeper. Burn bans were implemented in many areas such as entire states, state lands, counties, or municipalities. For instance, statewide burn bans were in place for New Jersey, Delaware, and Vermont, while multiple counties or municipalities in places like southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York, enacted burn bans. Some states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island implemented burn bans for state lands.
High Plains
As discussed by the High Plains Regional Climate Center, the drought that has taken hold in the region has had widespread impacts this month, with warmer temperatures and overall dryness exacerbating the situation. Numerous fires ignited across multiple states, while agricultural conditions have degraded significantly this fall. A late shot of rain in the final days of October provided minor relief, however, it was still insufficient to make up for the growing deficits.
The lack of rain has taken a toll on soil moisture across the High Plains, with the amount rated as short to very short alarmingly high in some states. Over 75 percent of topsoil and subsoil in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming is rated short to very short. Several states reported double-digit increases in the percentage of soil rated very short, due to the unusual warmth and lacking precipitation. Pasture conditions are also abysmal, with the percentage rated poor to very poor above 40 percent in Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. Despite winter wheat being recently planted, 20 percent is rated poor to very poor in Kansas. The continued dryness and several days of high winds led to dozens of wildfires across the region.
Another month of record-breaking heat and dryness took its toll, with an explosion of drought conditions across the High Plains. The central part of the region experienced a rapid intensification, particularly in Nebraska and South Dakota. Overall, the region observed an increase of 10 percent in abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions (D0 to D4) and nearly 90 percent of the High Plains are in some category of drought. The percentage of Nebraska in severe to exceptional drought (D2 to D4) skyrocketed this month, increasing over 62 percent due to multiple months of dryness and the continuation of warmer temperatures. South Dakota was equally as shocking, with a 51 percent increase in D2 to D4. Nearby Wyoming is even more alarming, with the entirety of the state engulfed in moderate to exceptional drought (D1 to D4) for the first time since August 2004.
West
As summarized by the Western Regional Climate Center, October marks the start of the new Water Year for the Western U.S. This October brought very warm conditions to just about all the West, record setting for many locations, and below normal precipitation for much of the region. A series of cold and wet storms in mid-October brought heavy rain and high elevation snowfall to much of northern New Mexico leading to much above normal monthly precipitation totals in this region.
According to the USDM at the end of October, 44 percent of the West was in drought. Moderate drought (D1) was present in all western states. Areas of extreme (D3) drought are found in southern New Mexico and eastern Montana, with D3 and exceptional drought (D4) in western Montana. The greatest drought expansion and intensification in October occurred in eastern Montana with some locations seeing a two-class degradation in the USDM. Little drought amelioration occurred in October.
Hawaii summary: October precipitation was below normal for most of Hawaii. Molokai had its fifth driest October with 0.15 inch of precipitation (10 percent of normal), Lihue had its sixth driest with 0.97 inch of precipitation (30 percent of normal), and on the Big Island, Hilo received 8.17 inches of precipitation (80 percent of normal). Dryness led to drought expansion for most of the Big Island and Maui. At the end of October, 53 percent of Hawaii was in drought with drought present on all islands. Most islands are in D1 (moderate drought) or D2 (severe drought) and a small area of D3 (extreme drought) is present in southwest Kauai.