STACKER — More than one-fifth of the continental U.S. is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought , according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Winter storms brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts , that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020-22. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. New Mexico currently is the state with the highest drought level, covering ​​88.2% of the state’s area.

In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.

Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios , much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.

Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in North Dakota with the worst droughts in the week leading up to March 5, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. “Abnormally dry” is not considered to be a drought, but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties which are not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.

North Dakota statistics

– Abnormally dry: 63.8%
– Area in drought: 26.7% (#12 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 19.9%
— Severe drought: 6.8%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Ward County

– Abnormally dry: 95.9%
– Area in drought: 4.1%
— Moderate drought: 4.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

McLean County

– Abnormally dry: 65.8%
– Area in drought: 6.9%
— Moderate drought: 6.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Renville County

– Abnormally dry: 93.0%
– Area in drought: 7.0%
— Moderate drought: 7.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Williams County

– Abnormally dry: 88.9%
– Area in drought: 11.1%
— Moderate drought: 11.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Foster County

– Abnormally dry: 88.3%
– Area in drought: 11.7%
— Moderate drought: 11.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Sioux County

– Abnormally dry: 85.8%
– Area in drought: 14.2%
— Moderate drought: 14.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Bottineau County

– Abnormally dry: 59.8%
– Area in drought: 40.2%
— Moderate drought: 40.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Grand Forks County

– Abnormally dry: 56.9%
– Area in drought: 43.1%
— Moderate drought: 38.1%
— Severe drought: 5.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Wells County

– Abnormally dry: 50.5%
– Area in drought: 49.5%
— Moderate drought: 49.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Nelson County

– Abnormally dry: 49.7%
– Area in drought: 50.3%
— Moderate drought: 48.6%
— Severe drought: 1.7%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

McHenry County

– Abnormally dry: 49.5%
– Area in drought: 50.5%
— Moderate drought: 50.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Adams County

– Abnormally dry: 46.7%
– Area in drought: 53.3%
— Moderate drought: 53.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Bowman County

– Abnormally dry: 37.2%
– Area in drought: 62.8%
— Moderate drought: 62.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Sheridan County

– Abnormally dry: 34.2%
– Area in drought: 65.8%
— Moderate drought: 65.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Eddy County

– Abnormally dry: 10.6%
– Area in drought: 89.4%
— Moderate drought: 89.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Burke County

– Abnormally dry: 3.0%
– Area in drought: 97.0%
— Moderate drought: 97.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Rolette County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Pierce County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Divide County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Benson County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Ramsey County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 62.7%
— Severe drought: 37.3%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Towner County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 54.0%
— Severe drought: 46.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Walsh County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 14.8%
— Severe drought: 85.2%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Pembina County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 0.0%
— Severe drought: 100.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Cavalier County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 0.0%
— Severe drought: 100.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

This article originally appeared on Stacker , and was produced and distributed through a partnership with Stacker Studio. It has been republished pursuant to a CC by NC 4.0 License .

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