Latest Monthly Assessment - Continued drought expansion was observed across the CONUS due to widespread precipitation deficit across much of the region. As of February 24, 2026, above 74% of the CONUS was covered with abnormal dryness (D0) to exceptional drought (D4) and more than half (51%) of the area were under drought conditions. Looking ahead into March, persistence is favored across parts of the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northern Intermountain regions, due to weak wet signals plus much below normal snowpack. Drought persistence is also likely for the remainder of the ongoing drought across the West region, much of the High Plains region and western portions of the Southern Plains owing to absence of wet signals in precipitation forecast during the period. Removal or improvement of the ongoing drought conditions is favored across much of the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys, parts of the Southeast owing to heavy precipitation in the WPC 7 day QPF forecast and favorable wet signals in the CPC extended range and monthly outlooks. Persistence is likely for the ongoing drought across the eastern coastal and their adjacent interior areas due to absence of wet signals in the monthly outlooks coupled with larger 90-day precipitation deficits over the region.



Alaska is likely to remain drought-free through the end of March, while a predicted wet month supports improvement and removal across Hawaii. Drought-free is also forecast for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to forecast near to slightly above-normal precipitation for March across the region.



Forecaster: Yun Fan



Next Monthly Drought Outlook issued: March 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT

Monthly Drought Outlook Discussion