We have been fortunate to get some beneficial rain this past week that put a significant dent in the drought. But I try to remember that a drought is cumulative which means that it takes weeks and months to develop. Conversely, the dry conditions do not end instantaneously and it can take just as long to exit the drought. According to the latest drought monitor over 80% of the U.S. is abnormally dry and over 60% of the U.S. is experiencing a moderate to exceptional drought. Even though the airport measured 1.84" of rain this week, WNY is still classified in the moderate drought category. For the latest drought conditions including a map showing a 12 week animation of the dry conditions across the U.S. go to www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/. The U.S. Drought Monitor is a group of federal and academic scientists which uses a multitude of indices and impacts to reach their conclusions.
