--- title: Almost half of the country is under drought conditions description: More than 49 percent of the lower 48 states are under drought conditions this week. image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/drought-4.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/almost-half-of-the-country-is-under-drought-conditions#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Featured](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/featured)  /  [Weather Now](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/weather-now)  /  [Preparation](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/preparation)  /  [Historical](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/historical)  /  [Warning](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/warning) # Almost half of the country is under drought conditions Posted by [Adrianne Burke](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/adrianne-burke) on Jan 5, 2023 ![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/drought-4.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=drought-4.jpg) Summary ## More than 49 percent of the lower 48 states are under drought conditions this week. Key Highlights #### Twenty-eight percent of the states under drought conditions are considered under severe drought. #### In California, almost 98% of the state remains in drought. #### The middle of the country remains in exceptional drought conditions with no improvement. ## DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE U.S.  As of this past week, just over 49% of the lower 48 states are under drought conditions, with 28% under severe drought. The change is a slight improvement for the nation over two weeks ago.  In California, almost 98% of the state remains in drought, while 80% is still experiencing severe drought or worse. Heavy rains in the state this week could bring significant relief. 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[Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/accuweather-warns-of-dangerous-new-years-eve-flooding-earlier-and-more-accurately-than-anyone-else) --- 4 minute read • Jan 4, 2023 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mississippiriver.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=mississippiriver.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/mississippi-river-water-levels-drop-to-historic-low-with-implications-on-businesses-and-communities) ### [Mississippi River water levels drop to historic low, with implications on businesses and communities](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/mississippi-river-water-levels-drop-to-historic-low-with-implications-on-businesses-and-communities) The Mississippi River is a vital waterway for transportation, agriculture, and countless... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/mississippi-river-water-levels-drop-to-historic-low-with-implications-on-businesses-and-communities) --- 3 minute read • Oct 20, 2023 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/panamacanal.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=panamacanal.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/drought-slows-ships-at-panama-canal-disrupts-business-supply-chain) ### [Drought slows ships at Panama Canal, disrupts business supply chains](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/drought-slows-ships-at-panama-canal-disrupts-business-supply-chain) Ship Slowdown A severe drought and lack of rain are causing a major back-up of ships waiting to go... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/drought-slows-ships-at-panama-canal-disrupts-business-supply-chain) --- 2 minute read • Aug 24, 2023 ## Want our stories delivered straight to you? Subscribe to our blog today! 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