Current Conditions | U.S. Drought Monitor
Access various products showing current climate conditions, which inform the USDM map.
droughtmonitor.unl.eduHere’s the latest on the United States Drought Monitor (USDM) update cycle and where to check for current conditions.
What USDM is and how it’s updated
- The USDM provides weekly drought condition maps for the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, categorized from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (exceptional drought), plus a D0 category for abnormally dry areas.[2]
- The weekly map is released on Thursdays and reflects current conditions in the preceding days, with supplementary context from NOAA and USDA drought outlooks.[5][2]
Where to find the most current information
- The primary source for real-time drought data, maps, and planning tools is the U.S. Drought Portal (Drought.gov), which includes the latest USDM updates, forecasts, and resources for resilience.[1]
- The Climate Prediction Center (NOAA CPC) publishes drought outlooks and related information that complement USDM maps and help interpret near-term and seasonal drought risks.[5]
- The National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) hosts current conditions and summaries, including links to the current USDM map and context for decision-making.[6][7]
Recent themes you might be seeing in May 2026 (based on usual update cycle and recent histories)
- In many years, May USDM context emphasizes the transition from spring wet periods to potential summer dryness in parts of the CONUS, with regional differences. Outlooks and current-map notes may discuss persistence or changes in drought categories, influenced by rainfall patterns and heat stress.[6][5]
- There are also notes about how USDM categories feed into USDA disaster programs and agricultural planning, so you may see references to implications for forage, livestock, and cropping decisions in weekly briefs.[2]
Illustration: quick check plan
- To view the exact current map and drought category breakdown for your area, visit the USDM Current Conditions page and open the latest Current Map and Summary pages on Drought Monitor:
- Current Conditions link: Current Map and Conditions
- Summary page: Summary of current drought status across the U.S.
If you’d like, I can compile the latest specific status for your area (e.g., New York City and surrounding regions) by pulling the newest USDM map data and summarizing the drought categories and short-term outlook for your location. I can also provide direct links to the latest weekly map and the accompanying narrative.