Deepening Drought Elevates Wildfire Threat Across Eastern, Central, and Western U.S.

While the central U.S. will see a renewed surge of rain and thunderstorms by the middle of the week, the Southeast and the Southwest will continue to be left high and dry. The lack of moisture in this part of the country is increasing the pervasiveness of the drought while also raising the threat of wildfires.

What Parts of the U.S. Are Grappling with a Deepening Drought

The ongoing drought conditions are not going to improve in the foreseeable future for a large portion of the U.S. Drought levels are predicted to worsen in a zone from the Southeast, to the Plains, and over to the Southwest. Persistent dry weather and winds will also increase the risk of wildfires in the days ahead.

According to last week's report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, the Southeast is demonstrating a range of abnormally dry to extreme drought conditions. A weak front that moved through the region last weekend only resulted in spotty rain showers in parts of Florida, the Gulf Coast, and into the mid-Atlantic.

Unfortunately for those who missed out on last week's rain, there is not much meaningful precipitation in the forecast for this week. Several cities in the southern U.S. have recorded just 40 - 60% of their historical average rainfall totals since January 1. This includes the metro areas of New Orleans, Atlanta, and Charlotte.

The lack of rainfall is not the only issue contributing to the elevated wildfire threat. The strength of the sun naturally intensifies this time of the year. That strength combines with longer days and persistent winds to dry out soil and vegetation. It takes a good soaking rainfall to alleviate these concerns.

Several pockets of the Southeast, the Plains, and the West are experiencing what the U.S. Drought Monitor defines as exceptional drought. This is the most severe category designation assigned by the monitor, speaking to the severity of the situation across several states. Exceptional drought conditions are now present in many areas of Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, and Florida.

While the immediate West Coast saw plenty of moisture this past winter, the same cannot be said for the interior portions of the West. Lagging snowpack levels across many of the key mountain ranges in the region will continue to present problems heading into the dry season.

Windy Conditions Will Exacerbate Wildfire Risk in the Southwest and the Plains

A storm that originated in the Pacific is currently roaring across California, delivering a mix of rain showers, thunderstorms, and higher-elevation snow. Gusty winds developing ahead of the system will spread across the Desert Southwest as the week progresses.

The parched landscape and the dead winter brush in the southwestern U.S. will raise the threat of wildfire ignition and spread for several days in a row. The primary wildfire risk zone will begin to move to the east along with the gusty winds by the middle of the week. This will result in the return of wildfire concerns for the Plains states.