Alabama Drought Reach

05/28/2026

Movin' in the right direction!

05/28/2026

Drought Update!

Much of the state saw improvement this past week due to widespread rainfall (most areas received more than 2.5 inches). Short term drought conditions have improved and Alabama is no longer in Extreme Drought (D3), but over half of the state is now classified as in Moderate Drought (D1) or Abnormally Dry (D0).

With more rain in the forecast, it's possible more drought improvements will be on the way.

05/01/2026

Drought Update!

Alabama is experiencing one of its driest and warmest 30-day periods on record, adding to longer-term rainfall deficits not seen since 2007.

The entire state is now in some level of drought, with South Alabama largely in Extreme (D3) drought. Expected 1+ inches of rain over the state could stave off worsening conditions.

04/20/2026

Join us Wednesday to learn about Alabama Drought Reach and why monitoring drought is important in the home landscape!

Register here: https://www.aces.edu/go/2414

Coming up on this month's Smart Yard Webinar Series! Laura Cooley, Aquatic Resources Outreach Administrator with Alabama Extension at Auburn University discusses the drought situation in Alabama.
Register to receive the zoom link and mark your calendars for upcoming dates. https://www.aces.edu/go/2414

Extension's Home Horticulture team brings this online series to you on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Topics range from common gardening information, home pests, fruits, vegetables, wildlife, and much more.

04/20/2026

New Seasonal Drought Outlook by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center

Expected drought development: Most of the West that is not currently in drought

Improvement: Southern Plains, South, Lower Midwest, part of the Northeast and Southeast, and HI

Otherwise, drought persists. http://drought.gov/forecasts U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)

04/16/2026

Drought Update!

After three consecutive weeks of little to no rain, drought conditions across the state have worsened. The majority of Southeast Alabama is now in Extreme Drought (D3). Severe (D2) and Moderate (D1) Drought also expanded across the state, with 100% of the state now in some level of abnormal dryness or drought.

Spring in Alabama usually brings more rain that what we are seeing now, and we continue to see impacts on streamflows and groundwater levels. Much more rain is needed to see significant relief.

04/09/2026

Drought Update!

Most of Alabama remains in some state of drought.
Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought centered in Southeast Alabama while parts of Central Alabama returned to near-normal conditions.

More rain is needed to see relief before summer. Little rain is expected in next week's forecast, conditions are expected to remain the same or worsen.

03/05/2026

The ongoing drought impacts and lower groundwater levels indicate that Alabama is still well behind normal recharge going into the growing season. 100% of the state remains in some level of dryness or drought.

As of March 3, Moderate Drought (D1) expanded across some of the West-Central counties. Areas in Lee County improved form Extreme (D3) drought to Severe (D2) Drought. Some of South Central AL improved from Severe to Moderate Drought.

02/26/2026

Drought Update!

The entire state is now abnormally dry or in some level of drought. While Lee and Conecuh Counties continue to be hardest hit by this by drought conditions, Abnormal Dryness (DO) expanded by 3.5% and Moderate Drought (D1) expanded by 10%.

The state is not receiving the precipitation and recharge that we need headed into spring. Stay tuned throughout the week as some areas are expected to receive about an inch of rain which might hold off worsening conditions.

02/23/2026

Drought Update!

As of Feb 17th, some counties across North Alabama saw a category degradation from Abnormally Dry (DO) to Moderate Drought (D1). Extreme drought also expanded from Monroe to Escambia County.
Seasonal totals remain below normal with large water deficits in North and South counties.