The U.S. Is Dry, Dry, Dry

A map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows vast areas of the western, southwestern, and central U.S.

The majority of the country is experiencing some form of dry weather. More than half of the US has seen these conditions for more than four weeks in a row.

The maps show yellow, tan, and orange to represent dry conditions, as well as severe and moderate dry conditions.

The month of July was very hot.

Early this year there were signs of a dry spell. There was only 2.5 inches of snow where there should have been several feet when the annual measurement was conducted. Several of the most important reservoirs in the country, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at historic lows as a result of a megadry spell.