Latest Seasonal Assessment - Heavy rains and mountain snows during the first half of October brought significant relief to many of the drought areas across the country, especially California. Much of Texas has seen elimination of short-term drought conditions due to the recent rains, though longer-term, hydrologic impacts will remain for a while, especially in southern Texas. A series of frontal systems have brought heavy rains to the East Coast states, resulting in substantial mitigation of drought conditions. The same is true of the upper Midwest, though long-term drought areas of northwestern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota still need significant rain or snow. For the most part, improvement is forecast for areas east of the Rockies during the Outlook period. West of the Divide, the situation is less clear. Improvement is predicted for California and southern Arizona, with the odds tilted toward some improvement for central and northern Arizona, northwest Nevada and Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Despite precipitation expected during the last half of October, drought persistence is indicated for central Washington and northwest Montana.

Forecaster: Anthony Artusa

Next Outlook issued: November 5, 2009 at 8:30 AM EDT