Last week, more than half the country (56 percent) experienced drought conditions—the largest percentage in the 12-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor. This week, as can be seen in the chart above, that percentage is even higher.
And, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, June temperatures contributed to a record-warm first half of the year and the warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.
[...] than half the country (56 percent) experienced drought conditions in June. Areas under moderate to extreme drought in June of each year are shown in orange in the series of [...]