Latest Monthly Assessment - During April, swaths of heavy convective precipitation resulted in drought reductions across northern Texas northeastward into the Great Lakes region, the upper Midwest, and portions of the Southeast. Improved moisture also began to chip away at the unusually long-term drought extending across much of the Northeast. In contrast, dry conditions exacerbated drought across the Four Corners region, Florida, and portions of the northern Plains. During early May, several potentially high-impact precipitation events are forecast. Copious rainfall is forecast to fall across the southern Plains, which may spark flooding but also drought relief for much of Texas, Oklahoma, and western Kansas. A cutoff low may bring unusually heavy May precipitation to portions of the Great Basin region as well, which could ease drought conditions across central Nevada. Additionally, dynamical model forecasts are beginning to indicate the potential for a slow-moving storm system to bring soaking rainfall across much of the Northeast, which would ease drought conditions as well. Outside of these regions, drought persistence is favored, with some slow development possible during the month across portions of the Southeast and the upper-Midwest given the high evapotranspirative demands this time of year.



Wet conditions during the first half of May may bring some late season drought relief to Hawaii. No drought is expected to develop across Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands during May.



Forecaster: Adam Allgood



Next Monthly Drought Outlook issued: May 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM EDT

Monthly Drought Outlook Discussion