As of September 1, 2026, 49.51% of the United States and Puerto Rico was in drought (59.05% across the Lower 48 states), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions worsened that week across the south-central United States and along the North Dakota-South Dakota-Minnesota border area.
U.S. Drought Monitor / Drought.gov (2026)
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). (2026, September 1). National Drought Status. Drought.gov. https://www.drought.gov/national