Latest Monthly Assessment - Drought improvement and removal are likely for the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Northern Rockies with the updated November outlook favoring above-normal precipitation during one of the wettest months of the year. Elsewhere, November is a drier month of the year for most of the southwestern U.S., central, and eastern U.S. which supports persistence for a majority of the ongoing drought for those regions. However, heavy precipitation at the end of October, the likelihood of additional beneficial precipitation throughout November, and an ideal time of year for soil moisture recharge support improvement and removal for northwestern Pennsylvania, western to northern New York, and adjacent western Vermont. Due to large year-to-date precipitation deficits, broad-scale persistence is expected for much of New England. Although below-normal precipitation is favored across the Southern Great Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast during November, heavy precipitation during the latter half of October precludes widespread development. For areas that missed this recent heavier precipitation and with the updated November outlook calling for an increased chance for below-normal precipitation, development is forecast for parts of the Southeast, Texas Gulf Coast, Lower Rio Grande Valley, and Southern Great Plains. Drought persistence is expected across Hawaii, while Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are forecast to remain drought-free through the end of November.



Forecaster: Brad Pugh



Next Monthly Drought Outlook issued: November 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST

Monthly Drought Outlook Discussion