U.S. Drought Monitor for June 4, 2013.

U.S. Drought Monitor

Rain Helps Conditions, But Drought Persists in Western Oklahoma

  • Joe Wertz

U.S. Drought Monitor

U.S. Drought Monitor for June 4, 2013.

Oklahoma’s overall conditions have improved with recent rain, but western regions of the state are still suffering “extreme” and “exceptional” levels of drought, data from the U.S. Drought Monitor show.

Thirty-eight percent of the state is now classified as drought-free, a slight improvement from the 32 drought-free total recorded on May 28, the data show. In March, the entire state was blanketed by drought conditions.

Summer, however, is just getting started, National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Lacy tells Tulsa World reporter Althea Peterson:

“We’re going to start seeing our regular 90s in the middle to latter part of the week next week,” Lacy said.