NOAA says the Lower 48 just had its hottest summer on record
NOAA says the Lower 48 had its hottest summer on record as drought expanded and wildfire potential stayed elevated across several regions.
drought
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Panama Canal cuts vessel slots again as drought strains waterway
Panama Canal capacity is tightening after below-expected rainfall, with Panamax slots set to fall again September 15 and longer waits possible.
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Oklahoma City schedules 16,000-acre-foot Canton Lake release for Sept. 17
Oklahoma City plans to release 16,000 acre-feet from Canton Lake beginning Sept. 17 to support Lake Hefner, which supplies about 40% of the city’s drinking water.
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Puerto Rico drought declaration opens farm loans amid water rationing
A USDA designation covers 26 Puerto Rico municipalities, opening possible farm assistance as rotating water interruptions affect more than 180,000 customers.
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EU Drought Cuts Summer-Crop Forecasts, Raises Feed Concerns
The EU’s latest crop assessment puts summer-crop forecasts up to 14% below average and warns that weaker pasture could pressure livestock-feed supplies.
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UN Drought Treaty Decision Deferred After Mongolia Talks
UN desertification talks ended in Mongolia with drought negotiations deferred to COP18, while new land-restoration finance and an Asia-Pacific initiative advanced.
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Nevada sues over federal Colorado River plan as cuts move to court
Nevada is challenging Interior’s new Colorado River framework, warning that future shortage rules could put heavier water cuts on Southern Nevada.
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USDA declares drought disaster for 26 Puerto Rico municipalities
The USDA designation opens potential emergency-assistance pathways for eligible Puerto Rico producers as drought strains farms and water supplies.
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Europe’s Drought and Heat Push Wildfire and River Risks Into Late Summer
A new EU assessment says worsening drought is driving elevated wildfire risk, exceptionally low rivers and pressure on farming, power, shipping and health.
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Federal officials finalize Colorado River cuts for 2027 and 2028
Interior officials finalized Colorado River rules for 2027 and 2028, reducing Lower Basin deliveries as combined reservoir storage reaches a historic low.
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Nevada challenges federal Colorado River plan that could cut its allocation by more than 70%
Nevada is suing over new Colorado River rules, warning that a potential reduction under the broader framework could leave Southern Nevada with less than 86,500 acre-feet annually.
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Somalia’s Drought Pushes Rural Families Toward Baidoa Displacement Camps
Families are reaching Baidoa after failed rains, crop losses and livestock deaths depleted rural livelihoods, while hunger worsens and flood risks grow.
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NOAA outlook keeps much of U.S. tilted toward heat through October
NOAA favors above-normal temperatures across much of the U.S. through October, but drought risks vary by region as El Niño strengthens.
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July Was the Hottest Month Ever Recorded in the Lower 48, NOAA Says
NOAA data shows July 2026 set a Lower 48 heat record, with unusually warm nights raising health concerns as drought and seasonal heat risks persist.
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Europe’s drought cuts crop forecasts as heat strains farms and rivers
EU monitoring cut winter-crop forecasts and reduced grain maize and sunflower prospects as early potatoes, damaged corn and low rivers pressure farms.
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Romania Shuts Both Nuclear Reactors as Europe’s Rivers Fall
Romania shut down Cernavoda’s second reactor as the Danube fell, while Hungary’s Paks plant and Rhine freight faced worsening low-water risks.
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Washington’s statewide drought emergency keeps pressure on farms, rivers and water planning
Washington remains under a statewide drought emergency after a warm winter left snowpack at 0% of normal for the calendar date. The sharpest immediate allocation risks are in the Yakima Basin, while household impacts depend on local utilities.
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Fayetteville activates voluntary Stage 1 water restrictions
Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission activated voluntary Stage 1 water restrictions July 19, asking customers to cut nonessential treated-water use.
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WMO Confirms El Niño Is Developing, Urges Governments to Prepare for Extreme Weather
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño conditions developed in the tropical Pacific during July-September 2026 and could influence weather patterns worldwide through at least November.
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Virginia drought deepens as state tracks record-low water indicators
Virginia is averaging 7.8 inches below normal rainfall, while the Roanoke region faces emergency-level drought conditions and record-low readings in some wells.
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Texas keeps wildfire, drought and flooding disasters active across dozens of counties
Texas lists six active disaster declarations, including designations covering 50 counties for drought, 15 for Hill Country and Central Texas flooding, and 11 for wildfire.
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SDSU Extension urges South Dakota livestock producers to test water as drought raises salt concerns
South Dakota State University Extension is offering free water testing after recent tests found some ponds, creeks and streams may contain unsafe salt levels for livestock.