Arizona Drought Worsens, Could Be Headed For A Historic Megadrought
By Ginny Reese
April 16, 2021
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, Arizona's drought has only gotten worse over the last few days.
ABC 15 reported that data shows that 99% of the whole state is in a drought.
58% of Arizona is in exceptional drought, including parts of the Phoenix metro area. This number has increased. Last week, 55% of Arizona was in exceptional drought.
Now, some scientists say that Arizona could be headed for the worst megadrought in history.
At this time last year, only 13% of the state was in any form of drought.
Arizona isn't the only state being affected. This year's drought conditions are spread across most of the Western United States. Areas of Arizona and surrounding states, including Four Corners, have stayed in a moderate to exceptional drought since last year.
Arizona's drought is getting worse.
— Iris Hermosillo (@IrisABC15) April 15, 2021
Latest update just released today shows that the level of Exceptional drought (the worst kind) has expanded further into SE AZ.
58% of AZ is at that worst level of drought, while the drought overall covers 99% of the state.#abc15wx #azwx pic.twitter.com/HpVwY5z9Nr
The Palmer Hydrological Drought Index (PHDI) shows that the Western United States has experienced drought in 17 of the past 20 years. The PHDI measures droughts and drought-related impacts on reservoir levels and groundwater.
Slight rain chances are supposed to return to Arizona this week, but they don't seem to be enough to improve the state's drought conditions.
Photo: Getty Images