Dry spells can sneak up fast; that’s why tracking droughts helps us stay one step ahead.

Droughts are tracked by something called the U.S. Drought Monitor. It’s an important tool used to track drought conditions across the United States. It’s a weekly map produced by scientists that shows where droughts are occurring, how severe they are, and how conditions are changing over time.

By combining data from weather stations, satellite imagery, soil moisture readings and local reports, the drought monitor provides a detailed snapshot of dryness that helps farmers, water managers, emergency planners and the public understand drought risks.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Droughts can vary widely in intensity and impact, making them tricky to monitor. The drought monitor categorizes drought into five levels, ranging from “abnormally dry” to “exceptional drought,” which is the most severe.

These categories help communicate the seriousness of drought conditions and guide responses such as water use restrictions, firefighting readiness and agricultural planning.

Beyond just tracking current conditions, the drought monitor also helps identify trends and predict where drought might worsen or improve. This information is critical for managing water resources, protecting ecosystems and preparing communities for drought-related challenges.

In a time when climate change is making droughts more frequent and intense in many areas, the drought monitor serves as a vital resource for staying informed and resilient.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.