U.S. Drought Monitor shows mixed improvements and setbacks across regions

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that while portions of the South, Southeast, Mid‑Atlantic, and Northeast have experienced rainfall‑driven improvements, the Plains, Upper Midwest and parts of the West continue to face drought intensification. In Missouri, recent moisture gains have lifted much of Southeast Missouri out of severe drought, though isolated abnormally dry areas remain. Heavy rains in Texas’s Hill Country brought 5‑15 inches of precipitation, easing long‑term drought but also causing flash flooding. Reservoir conditions vary widely: California’s major reservoirs sit at or above historic averages, whereas Lake Powell and Lake Mead remain at historically low levels, at roughly 22‑27 % of capacity. The prevailing El Niño pattern is expected to bring wetter conditions to the Midwest and Southeast through the fall, offering a more favorable outlook for agriculture in those regions.