Animated map: U.S. drought in 2012

Drought conditions have been at record levels in the contiguous United States for much of July, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, which began monitoring drought conditions in 1999. The animated map below shows the spread of drought conditions since January 2012.

  1. January 3, 2012
  2. January 10, 2012
  3. January 17, 2012
  4. January 24, 2012
  5. January 31, 2012
  6. February 7, 2012
  7. February 14, 2012
  8. February 21, 2012
  9. February 28, 2012
  10. March 6, 2012
  11. March 13, 2012
  12. March 20, 2012
  13. March 27, 2012
  14. April 3, 2012
  15. April 10, 2012
  16. April 17, 2012
  17. April 24, 2012
  18. May 1, 2012
  19. May 8, 2012
  20. May 15, 2012
  21. May 22, 2012
  22. May 29, 2012
  23. June 5, 2012
  24. June 12, 2012
  25. June 19, 2012
  26. June 26, 2012
  27. July 3, 2012
  28. July 10, 2012
  29. July 17, 2012
  30. July 24, 2012
  31. July 31, 2012
  32. August 7, 2012
  33. August 14, 2012
  34. August 21, 2012
  35. August 28, 2012
  36. September 4, 2012
  37. September 11, 2012
  38. September 18, 2012
  39. September 25, 2012
  40. October 2, 2012
  41. October 9, 2012
  42. October 16, 2012
  43. October 23, 2012
  44. October 30, 2012
  45. November 6, 2012
  46. November 13, 2012

Drought intensity levels

 

Abnormally dry

Short-term dryness or lingering water deficits

 

Moderate drought

Some crop damage; imminent water shortages

 

Severe drought

Crop losses likely; water shortages common

 

Extreme drought

Major crop losses; widespread water shortages

 

Exceptional drought

Widespread crop losses; water emergencies

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

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