DROUGHT MONITOR UPDATE

** June 15 U.S. Drought Monitor Update For O

UR Coverage Area

** (click link below for full PDF briefing) http://www.weather.gov/.../drought/DroughtBriefing.pdf

- RECENT UPDATES/CHANGES TO LOCAL DROUGHT MONITOR CATEGORIES: Since we last issued this briefing in late-April, rainfall patterns have been HIGHLY VARIABLE. Drought has worsened especially east, but actually improved in limited parts of mainly our north/west. Unfortunately, 20% of our coverage area is in Exceptional Drought (D4)...the highest percentage of our area since April 2013!

- LOOKING AHEAD through June 21 (the next 7 days): Officially, cumulative precipitation is forecast to vary a fair amount across our coverage area for the June 15-21 period, GENERALLY ranging from less than 0.50” in most of our eastern counties, to a more widespread 0.5

0-1.50” in western/northern counties. (Note: actual amounts will likely vary considerably from these GENERAL expectations, even over short distances, depending on EXACT thunderstorm tracks).

** PLEASE NOTE: all final drought category decisions are made by U.S. Drought Monitor authors (and NOT local NWS offices such as ours). However, we highly encourage your feedback/opinions regarding whether you feel your area is currently assigned the most representative drought category (specific examples are welcomed...such as the current state of streams/rivers, stock ponds, crop/pasture conditions etc.)