Record US drought sparks worries about fires, water supply and food prices
FILE - Philip Anderson walks across a dry stock pond March 31, 2026, in Walden, Colo. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson, File)
AP
Drought in the contiguous United States has reached record levels for this time of year, weather data shows. Meteorologists said it's a bad sign for the upcoming wildfire season, food prices and western water issues.
More than 61% of the Lower 48 states is in moderate to exceptional drought — including 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West — according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. It's the highest levels for this time of year since the drought monitor began in 2000.
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