Record Drought in the U.S. Raises Concerns Over Fires and Food Prices
The United States is experiencing a record-breaking drought, with over 61% of the contiguous states in moderate to exceptional drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This situation is particularly severe in the Southeast, where 97% of the area is affected, and in the West, where two-thirds are experiencing drought. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that March saw the highest Palmer Drought Severity Index since records began in 1895, and it was the third-driest month on record. The drought is exacerbated by record heat, leading to low snow levels in the West, which typically stores water for the summer. The drought is linked to a jet stream pattern that has kept storms further north, affecting the South from Texas to the East Coast. 
