By one measure, almost 100 percent of the West is now in drought. And that sets an all-time 122-year record, accoring to David Simeral, a climatologist at the Desert Research Institute and the Western Regional Climate Center.
That measure, called the Palmer Drought Index, takes into account both moisture and temperature to provide a good view of long-term drought, as well as the impact of global warming.
Using another measure, the kind you may be accustomed to with the standard U.S. Drought Monitor, about 90 percent of the West is experiencing some level of drought, with 57 percent in extreme to exceptional drought, the two worst categories.
"This week marked a milestone in that this is the highest percent area of drought in the western United States since the Drought Monitor started in 2000," says Simeral, who spoke on July 20th at a webinar about the continuing crisis.
