Drought Update for September 22, 2026
This Week's U.S. Drought Monitor Map of Alabama
Statewide Condition Summary
What's Changed? Severe Drought (D2) is expanding across West and Central Alabama, and Moderate Drought (D1) has been introduced along the Tennessee border. 46% of the state is now experiencing some level of drought. 42% is Abnormally Dry (D0) and could worsen without beneficial rain.
What's New? Scattered rainfall and record heat last week contributed to worsening dry conditions across parts of the state. Declining streamflows, below-normal rainfall over the past 2–3 months, and reports of agricultural stress are all pointing to increasing drought impacts.
What's Next? With little to no rain in this week's forecast, expect conditions to remain the same or worsen in some areas.
Statewide Coverage by Category
| Category | Coverage This Week | Changes Since Last Week |
|---|---|---|
| D0: Abnormally Dry | 42.06% | 6.57% |
| D1: Moderate Drought | 35.08% | 3.96% |
| D2: Severe Drought | 10.99% | 6.28% |
| D3: Extreme Drought | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| D4: Exceptional Drought | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Source: US Drought Monitor, authored by David Mocko (NASA/GSFC/SSAI) with input from the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist
Dry conditions continued to intensify across Alabama this week, with 42% of the state now classified as Abnormally Dry (D0), 35% as Moderate Drought (D1), and 11% as Severe Drought (D2). The largest changes occurred across West and Central Alabama, where declining streamflows and persistent rainfall deficits are contributing to worsening drought conditions. With little rain expected this week, areas that miss out could continue to see drought conditions worsen.
Download the Alabama Drought Update Graphic
Alabama Drought in the News
- Some Parts of Alabama are Finally Drought-Free Leigh Morgan with AL.com| June 2, 2026
Drought Resources
- Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs: Office of Water Resources
- Alabama Drought Reach: Auburn University Water Resources Center
- U.S. Drought Monitor for Alabama
- Alabama Drought.gov page
- NOAA National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
- NIDIS Southeast Drought Early Warning System (DEWS)
- Report drought conditions with CMOR
- Report daily rainfall with CoCoRaHS
- Assessing drought in the United States