As of January 2024, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) in the contiguous United States was -3.75. The monthly PDSI in the U.S. has generally been below zero over the past three years, with the lowest PDSI recorded in December 2023, at -3.99. A PDSI value higher than four represents very wet conditions, while a PDSI below four represents an extreme drought.
Monthly drought severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in the United States from January 2017 to January 2024
The Palmer Drought Severity Index uses temperature and precipitation data to estimate relative dryness. The index ranges from -10 (very dry) to +10 (very wet). A value between -2 and -3 indicates moderate drought, -3 to -4 is severe drought, and -4 or below indicates extreme drought.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (February 21, 2024). Monthly drought severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in the United States from January 2017 to January 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101425/drought-severity-united-states-monthly/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Monthly drought severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in the United States from January 2017 to January 2024." Chart. February 21, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101425/drought-severity-united-states-monthly/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2024). Monthly drought severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in the United States from January 2017 to January 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101425/drought-severity-united-states-monthly/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Monthly Drought Severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in The United States from January 2017 to January 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Feb 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101425/drought-severity-united-states-monthly/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Monthly drought severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in the United States from January 2017 to January 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101425/drought-severity-united-states-monthly/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Monthly drought severity (Palmer Drought Severity Index) in the United States from January 2017 to January 2024 [Graph], National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, February 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101425/drought-severity-united-states-monthly/
