Drought Not Much Improved at Year-End

The last Drought Monitor report of 2012 had little good news, reporting that 62% of the lower 48 states is still in moderate or worse drought. No relief is expected for most areas any time soon, and it is forecast to linger well into 2013.

David Unger, a meteorologist at the U.S. Climate Prediction Center, does not expect the drought to ease until at least March.

The highest levels of drought are clinging to the Plains states, with drought levels in Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota remaining virtually unchanged for months.

Meanwhile, drought on the southern Plains appears to be quickly gaining speed as Texas and Oklahoma have seen a jump in the intensity of drought.