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US Drought Hits Record Highs, Sparking Fire and Food Price Fears
18 Apr
Summary
- Over 61% of the contiguous US is in moderate to exceptional drought.
- This drought is the highest level for this time of year since 2000.
- Record heat has led to exceptionally low snowpack in the West.
Record drought conditions are gripping the contiguous United States, with over 61% of the Lower 48 states currently in moderate to exceptional drought. This marks the highest percentage for this time of year since records began in 2000. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Palmer Drought Severity Index registered its highest level for March since 1895, with last month being the third-driest on record.
Record heat has significantly depleted snowpack in the West, crucial for summer water storage. A separate drought affecting the South and East Coast is attributed to the jet stream keeping storms further north. Experts warn that it would require substantial rainfall to alleviate these deficits. The current atmospheric moisture-sucking capacity is also at concerning levels, exacerbating the dry conditions.
Meteorologists express grave concerns about the escalating wildfire risk, as fire behavior intensifies exponentially with warming temperatures. Additionally, the drought poses a significant threat to agriculture, potentially leading to a global food price crisis, especially with a predicted El Nino potentially reducing crop yields in other regions. Both natural variability and climate change are cited as drivers of this extreme event.
