Western US is Experiencing the Worst Drought Since Medieval Times

Western North America, southwestern US, and northern Mexico started experiencing megadrought at beginning of the new millennium. This drought is the most severe in the continent since the Dark Ages, and no one knows when it will end.

(Photo : ORBERTO DUARTE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Current Situation of Drought

Pacific coastal states experienced some needed precipitation during fall and winter after a significant hot and dry summer in the West. Unfortunately, dryness came back in the first two months of 2022, and California - the wildfire-racked state - is the worst hit.

On July 11, death valley in California saw an extremely high temperature of 130 degrees. The temperature ties the hottest temperature recorded on Earth.

NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said: "July 2021 outdid itself as the hottest July and month ever recorded. This new record adds to the disturbing and disruptive path that climate change has set for the globe," according to Cnet.

Monitoring Drought Conditions

Drought conditions can be monitored by a heat map. By just looking at a map of the drought in Western US states, one can be able to monitor the condition of drought. A lot of websites and organizations keep a close watch on the worsening meteorological conditions.

Also Read: 6 Million Children Driven to Hunger Due to Severe Drought Brought by El Nino

The Severity of Western Drought

As per the US National Drought Monitor, over 95% of the West was suffering from drought or some unusual dryness as of Feb. 22. This is becoming the third successive dry year the West is experiencing.

In 2021, water levels were at historic lows in the majority of reservoirs in California. Other primary stores surrounding the area including Lake Powell and Lake Mead were also affected by the drought.

States Experiencing Drought

As of Feb. 22, at least one county in 41 of 50 states in the US are experiencing some level of drought. Oklahoma, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Oregon was dealing with the exceptional drought which is the highest category seen in six states.

Also, the entire region in Wyoming, California, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, and Louisiana was experiencing some level of drought or unusual dryness, according to Tech on News.

What Could be the Causes of Drought?

The climate crisis mainly caused by human activities is worsening the entire problem.

A study regarding the most recent and severe period of drought in California discovered that global warming as a result of human activities is boosting the chances of the warmer and drier "conditions like those that have created the acute human and ecosystem impacts associated with the 'exceptional' 2012-2014 drought in California."

How Long will Drought Last?

There has been a little bit of improvement since the hottest and driest days were witnessed in 2021. Currently, below 4% of the West is suffering from exceptional drought, from 23% a year ago.

Many are hoping that the condition will change for the better. For now, the best thing to do is to use water and energy wisely, especially those living in the West.

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