CLIMATE
Which U.S. cities are at risk of drought in the coming years? The map showing the driest areas
There are areas of the country that are at risk of experiencing draught in the coming years. A look at how drought is already affecting the areas.
In the United States, areas in various states are under extreme drought warnings, with warnings that more extreme drought could follow if weather patterns do not bring more rain. While most of the most affected areas are in the western and midwestern states, drought conditions affect communities across the country.
One of the largest cities to be affected by moderate drought conditions is Spokane, Washington, home to nearly 230,000 residents. Drought takes on a different form in all areas because the ecosystems and wildlife vary. In the case of Washington, which traditionally has a very wet climate, drought has increased the risk of West Nile Virus and fire, and rivers are running lower than they traditionally would.
In the Midwest, Iowa is the only state experiencing extreme drought, the second to most extreme categorization. Waterloo, home to 66,941 residents, sits in this area, and the US Drought Monitor has reported that the surrounding area is seeing:
- Cattle producers suffer from dry patures, crops become infested with pets
- Residents suffer from worse seasonal allergies
- Animal feed prices increase, a major concern for famers
- When acorns drop they are "underdeveloped"
- Fill die in high numbers from warm water as streambeds run very low or are completly dry.
The situation in California
For nearly two decades, much of California was under a severe drought risk, leading state officials to implement regulations limiting commercial and household water use. Now, after two stormy winters, only a small area of the Golden State remains at risk. A year ago, 24.96 percent of the cumulative area was under a severe drought warning, and today, that figure is zero.
Which states are under exceptional drought warning?
The only state where there is an exceptional drought is New Mexico, and the area experiencing this devastating climate phenomenon has increased over the last year from 0.19 percent to 3.51 percent in terms of cumulative area, according to the US Drought Monitor. In this growing area, drought is having a very severe impact on the wildlife and ecosystems:
- Bears spotted closer to developed areas
- Birds alter their migratory patterns
- Increased fire risk prompts closure of federal lands and increases burn bands
- Farmers are left to use water from private wells as no surface water is left for agriclture
- The Rio Grand runs dry
One of the largest cities that could be affected by the drought is Carlsbad, home to 31,888 residents. However, Santa Fe, home to just over 81,000 people, is under an extreme drought, with the Drought Monitor reporting that residents are seeing native trees die as they cannot survive under these extreme conditions.