Trending Now - Historic U.S. Drought Raises Alarms Over Wildfires and Food Costs

WHO:

AP News - Brian Fuchs, climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Center.

AP News - Park Williams, UCLA hydroclimatologist.

AP News - Kathy Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona.

AP News - Jeff Masters, meteorologist at Yale Climate Connections.

WHAT:

AP News - More than 61% of the contiguous United States is in moderate to exceptional drought.

AP News - 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West are experiencing drought conditions.

AP News - The Palmer Drought Severity Index reached its highest level for March since records began in 1895.

AP News - March 2026 was the third-driest month recorded, trailing only July and August of 1934.

AP News - It would take 19 inches of rain in one month to break the drought in eastern Texas and more than a foot of rain for most of the Southeast.

AP News - Vapor pressure deficit is 77% above normal in the West, more than 25% higher than the previous record for January through March.

WHERE:

AP News - The contiguous United States, specifically noting the Southeast and the West regions.

AP News - Eastern Texas and the Southeast.

WHEN:

AP News - The drought conditions are the highest for this time of year since the drought monitor began in 2000.

AP News - March 2026 was the driest month recorded since 1895.

WHY:

AP News - The drought is exacerbated by record heat and low snow levels in the West, which typically stores water for summer.

AP News - A separate drought affecting the South is linked to the jet stream keeping storms further north.

HOW:

AP News - Meteorologists are concerned that drought conditions will lead to increased wildfire risks and higher food prices.

AP News - The drought and hotter weather are driven by both natural variability and human-caused climate change.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 19:17 UTC)

More than 61% of the contiguous United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, with 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West affected by these conditions. March 20th26 marked the driest month on record since 1895, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index reached its highest level for March since records began in 1895, driven by record heat and low snow levels. Meteorologists warn that these drought conditions could lead to increased wildfire risks and higher food prices, as the drought is exacerbated by both natural variability and human-caused climate change.