Latest news with #U.S.DroughtMonitor
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Drought Update As Popular Lake Hits Highest Level Since 2020
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Repeated bouts of torrential rainfall have eliminated much of the drought that plagued Texas earlier this year. The heavy rain caused river levels to surge, which then funneled water into Texas reservoirs, including Lake Travis, a major reservoir near Austin. Lake Travis experienced a sharp rise in water levels following deadly floods over the July 4 weekend and has now hit its highest level since June 2020. "We have seen similar relatively large increases in the history of Lake Travis, which is in Flash Flood Alley," a spokesperson for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which manages the lake, told Newsweek. Why It Matters The dramatic turnaround in Lake Travis' water levels underscores the volatility of Texas' climate, where extreme drought can rapidly give way to destructive flooding. Prior to the rain, Lake Travis was only 43 percent of its capacity. At times over the past few years, water levels fell so low they exposed objects usually hidden underwater, such as an old concrete plant and pecan groves. An aerial view of Lake Travis. An aerial view of Lake Travis. RoschetzkylstockPhoto/Getty The recent floods, with some areas receiving more than 20 inches of rain, not only revived water levels but also led to deadly consequences and hazardous conditions for local communities. More than 100 people were killed, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Water officials stressed that sudden surges in lake levels are not unusual in the region, nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley" for its exposure to intense, rapid storm events. What to Know As of the most recent measurements from the U.S. Drought Monitor, roughly 23 percent of Texas was facing moderate drought conditions or worse. A map of the drought showed that it was concentrated in the southwest part of the state. The state's drought is much improved compared to three months ago, when the more than 58 percent of the state battled moderate drought conditions or worse. Lake Travis, part of the Highland Lakes system, has faced severe water shortages for years amid persistent droughts. These drought conditions were interrupted by sporadic heavy rains in 2024, but the relief was short-lived as dry conditions soon returned. Water loss due to evaporation also remained a major challenge. The deadly floods over the July 4 holiday marked a dramatic reversal for Lake Travis' water levels. In just days, the lake rose from 43 percent to 81 percent of its total capacity according to Water Data for Texas. As of Tuesday morning, the lake was at 670 feet, around 10 feet below its full capacity. It's the highest the lake has been since June 2020. Before the July 4 weekend, the water level was at just under 640 feet. The reservoir is prone to sudden rises and falls, with significant jumps in water levels documented throughout its history. Local officials warned of continued flood risks and high bacteria levels typical after flood events, and recommended that the public avoid the water until conditions stabilize. Experts say that the health of Texas reservoirs like Lake Travis depends on both weather patterns and conservation, as well as human factors like population growth and increasing water usage. The 2025 flood's impact is expected to restore short-term stability but illustrates the ongoing vulnerability of the state's water infrastructure to environmental extremes. What People Are Saying The LCRA spokesperson told Newsweek: "Levels in Lake Travis later this summer will depend on a combination of heat and wind, water usage in Central Texas and if/where we see continued rainfall in watershed." LCRA Executive Vice President of Water John Hofmann said in a press release about recreation at the lake after the floods: "Conditions for boating are better than they were a few days ago, but still require extra caution. Our crews have located and replaced most of the missing marker buoys damaged or displaced by the floods, but boaters still need to be extremely careful to avoid flood debris." What Happens Next Lake Travis water levels continue to rise as floodwaters move through the system. By mid-week Texas will see a respite from the heavy rain as high heat and humidity moves into the region, which could slow the lake's improvement or reverse its course.
Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Reveals States Experiencing Drought Conditions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A live map from highlighted which parts of the United States were experiencing the most pronounced drought conditions as of Friday. Why It Matters Drought can have serious implications for water supply. In 2022, Lake Mead—the largest reservoir in the U.S. by capacity—fell to critically low levels following years of drought. What To Know According to a map of drought conditions from the areas experiencing the most intense drought conditions as of Friday morning included parts of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. In Arizona and Nevada, this included the area just south of Lake Mead. Drought conditions were most widespread in the western U.S., although pockets of mild to severe drought intensity were scattered throughout the rest of the country, map showed. According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions continued to ease across the Great Plains due to heavy rainfall. However, long-term drought persists in south-central Texas. Improvements were seen in parts of New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and Arizona, while drought worsened in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Intermountain West. Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said. Central to southwestern Florida saw drought end after heavy storms. The East, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and Lower Mississippi Valley are mostly drought-free, U.S. Drought Monitor said. Jay Lund, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis, told Newsweek that climate change is making droughts in the U.S. harder in several ways. Higher temperatures increase evaporation from land and plants, reducing how much water reaches streams, reservoirs, and groundwater. Warmer temperatures cause snow to melt earlier or fall as rain, shifting streamflow to winter when it's less useful and harder to manage, Lund said. "There is some thought that more precipitation is happening in few storm events, which makes it hard to capture runoff from these events for use in drier times," he added. What People Are Saying Jay Lund, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis, told Newsweek: "Perhaps the biggest aspect of these climate changes for the west is that they have exacerbated long-standing groundwater overdraft and overdraft of the huge Colorado River reservoirs, making these problems worsen at a broadly unacceptable rate. This is accelerating management discussions and changes that would have been even more strongly resisted otherwise." He continued: "The biggest vulnerabilities are to ecosystems and agriculture. Ecosystems are already on the ropes, and now must contend with higher temperatures, the new invasive species these bring, and worsening droughts. Agriculture, as the major water use in the West with low economic values for water will likely have to give up 10-20 percent of its least valuable irrigated acreage, which will harm many rural areas. Urban areas need relatively little water and have resources and expertise to manage—it will be more expensive, but manageably so if well led, except for some marginal communities." What Happens Next? The U.S. Drought monitor issues weekly updates regarding drought conditions in the U.S.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is Central Texas still in drought? Maps show change before and after last week's floods
Some areas of Texas received up to 20 inches of rain last week as remnants from two tropical systems met over the state, unleashing flash floods that proved both deadly and destructive. The storms delivered a dramatic burst of moisture to a parched landscape, but even with that, much of Texas remains locked in abnormally dry conditions and drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor maps. The flooding came on the heels of an early and intense heat wave, with triple-digit temperatures gripping parts of the state as early as mid-May — nearly two months ahead of schedule. Temperatures soared as high as 113 degrees along the Texas-Mexico border, and June ended as the seventh-hottest month on record. While the recent rain did lead to a notable reduction in drought coverage across parts of the state, it wasn't enough to bring widespread or lasting relief. Large swaths of Texas remain in severe to exceptional drought — the three highest categories — including the Texas Hill Country, which saw the greatest devastation from last week's flash flood that came hours ahead of Fourth of July celebrations, killing at least 120 with 170 still missing. No drought: 62.15% Abnormally dry to exceptional drought (D0–D4): 37.85% Moderate to exceptional drought (D1–D4): 29.50% Severe to exceptional drought (D2–D4): 22.20% Extreme to exceptional drought (D3–D4): 13.48% Exceptional drought (D4): 5.75% Drought Severity and Coverage Index (DSCI): 109 The Drought Severity and Coverage Index describes the overall intensity and geographic extent of drought conditions in a given area. No drought: 68.71% of Texas Abnormally dry to exceptional drought (D0–D4): 31.29% Moderate to exceptional drought (D1–D4): 23.04% Severe to exceptional drought (D2–D4): 16.29% Extreme to exceptional drought (D3–D4): 10.21% Exceptional drought (D4): 4.38% Drought Severity and Coverage Index (DSCI): 85 This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Is Central Texas still in drought? See maps after last week's floods
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Drought deepens on Western Slope while Eastern Plains see rain relief
Tale of two Colorados: Rain in the east, drought and fire risk in the West Tale of two Colorados: Rain in the east, drought and fire risk in the West Tale of two Colorados: Rain in the east, drought and fire risk in the West According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 50% of Colorado is currently experiencing drought. The most severe conditions are concentrated on the Western Slope. CBS The root of the problem? A drier-than-normal winter, which delivered below-average snowpack combined with unusually warm temperatures, leaving the region parched and increasingly fire-prone. As a result, Stage 1 fire restrictions have been implemented across large portions of western Colorado and the high country. These restrictions limit open burning, including campfires in non-designated areas, and prohibit fireworks and other activities that could spark a blaze. In Teller County, officials have issued an orange flag warning, signaling very high fire danger. CBS While the Western Slope dries out, other parts of the state are seeing relief. Storm systems last week dropped meaningful rainfall across Colorado's Eastern Plains, keeping conditions drought-free — a welcome development for anyone planning outdoor activities over the holiday weekend. This sharp contrast paints a clear picture of the challenges ahead: while eastern Colorado enjoys the benefits of recent moisture, the west remains vulnerable to wildfires and worsening drought conditions. As always, residents are encouraged to check local fire restrictions before lighting any campfires or using outdoor equipment that could spark flames.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Stormy weather for Palm Beach County on July 4 as hurricane center watches area for development
A drooping cool front expected to loiter over Florida is forecast to make for a soggy July 4th holiday and potentially stir a weak tropical cyclone to life. The National Hurricane Center said on June 30 that there was a 20% chance of something tropical or subtropical developing over seven days along the weakening front. But forecast models have wavered in recent days and where the tropical system could form is unclear, possibly over the warm Gulf Stream waters east of the state, over Florida or in the Gulf of Mexico, now renamed as the Gulf of America by the U.S. government. 'There are still some ensembles showing development but it's less than it was a couple of days ago,' said Chris Fisher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami. 'But for us in South Florida, it really doesn't make that much of a difference because there will be plenty of moisture and it's looking like a fairly unsettled weekend.' The NWS has a 30% to 60% chance of rain in South Florida each day through July 3, but that picks up to 70% through the day and evening of July 4 with showers in the morning and thunderstorms possible later in the day. More: Hurricane Season 2025: How the hurricane forecast cone changed this year A south to southwest breeze could keep rainfall pinned to the east coast on Friday with the Weather Prediction Center forecasting up to 4 inches of rain for parts of Palm Beach County into Saturday morning. Still, Fisher said July 4th may not be a total washout. 'It's something we're going to have to monitor as the week goes on,' he said. And while rain could hamper outdoor festivities, Fisher noted that it's sorely needed in Palm Beach County where 20% of the of the county is still in extreme drought and 55% is in moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Palm Beach County is the only area in Florida where there is extreme drought. Rainfall as measured at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach was 13.4 inches below normal for the year through June 29, making it the 6th driest year in 126 years of records. July usually is the driest rainy season month for South Florida — just 5.6 inches of rain is normal for West Palm Beach compared to 8.5 inches in June — as Saharan dust plumes increasingly make their way across the Atlantic Ocean to dry out middle portions of the atmosphere. Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane forecaster for AccuWeather, said a layer of Saharan air combined with cyclone-killing wind shear will keep anything tropical that forms along the stalled front on the weaker side. More: Lightning injures 8 in Florida, kills one in different events as summer storms roil the state 'I'm thinking it won't blow up into a hurricane or anything massive,' DaSilva said. 'The rain would probably be the primary factor in whatever develops at the current time.' If a tropical or subtropical storm forms, it would be named Chantal, and would follow the short-lived Tropical Storm Andrea, that formed east of Bermuda on June 24, and Tropical Storm Barry, which was named June 29 but quickly fizzled after making landfall in Mexico as a tropical depression. Andrea and Barry put this season so far above average as far as the number of named storms. The typical second named storm doesn't form until July 17 with the third named storm forming, on average, on August 3. 'Out in the Atlantic, it looks really quiet,' DaSilva said referring to tropical development in the main runway between Africa and the Caribbean. 'There's a lot of dust, a lot of shear and a lot of cool water off Africa.' Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@ Help support our local journalism, subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: National Hurricane Center watching area near Florida for tropical development
