Severe to exceptional drought conditions are expected to persist in the western U.S. and expand to the southern Plains and the Lower Mississippi Valley, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Spring Outlook released last week. With close to 60 percent of the U.S. experiencing minor to exceptional drought conditions, NOAA notes this is the largest drought coverage witnessed in the U.S. since 2013. Over half of the country is projected to experience above-average temperatures this spring.

Additionally, above-average rainfall is most likely in parts of the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and the west coast of Alaska. Consequently, there is a minor-to-moderate flood risk in many parts of eastern continental U.S., including in the Southeast, Tennessee Valley, lower Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and portions of the Great Lakes, upper Mississippi Valley, and middle Mississippi Valley.

“NOAA’s Spring Outlook helps build a more weather and climate ready nation by informing local decision makers and emergency managers of this spring’s hazardous weather, such as extreme drought,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA’s seasonal outlooks provide advanced warning of the conditions to come, enabling communities to make preparations that boost their resilience to these hazards.” Read the outlook at NOAA.