Shifting red blobs seem like they grow and shrink every Thursday. Although every time I glance at the Drought Monitor Map this year it seems like it has been growing.
For the last thirteen years,the Drought Monitor Map has served to stitch the country drought conditions in one easy map. I wrote about the history of the drought monitor here. Well, this morning I decided to sift through some of the map data and make top ten lists with some maps. Tis the season for these type of articles.
1. Top Ten States with the Most Intense Drought Conditions Now
Currently the drought epicenter is somewhere in Nebraska.
2. Top Ten States with the Most Intense Drought Conditions a Year ago.
Last year, the drought was centered in Texas.
3. Top Ten States Near their Historical Maximum.
Basically, this map shows show which states are the closest their historical maximum drought intensity. The period of record is again thirteen years.
4. Top Ten States with the Most Occurrence of Drought
If you are looking at the last thirteen years, these states have seen more than their fair share of drought.
5. Top Ten States Least Affected by Drought
Are you looking to move anytime soon? If you are looking at the last thirteen years, these states had the least occurrences of drought conditions.
Interesting stuff here, particularly the states most/least affected by drought. The drought monitor levels are presumably by return intervals, so say, over the long-term the yellow should appear once every two years, red should appear once every five years. In a place like Utah, is it a persistently droughty period or are they overusing the drought categories?
Keep up the good work
Tom
http://tompagano.blogspot.com
The River Seers