ORLANDO, Fla. – Every Thursday morning, a new U.S. Drought Monitor map drops — painting the country in shades of yellow, tan, orange and red.
Behind those colors is nearly 25 years of teamwork between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture all working together to track where drought is hitting hardest.
For example, the latest map shows parts of Central Florida is in Severe Drought (D2). The Drought Monitor uses five categories, from D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D4 (Exceptional Drought). D2 means significant crop damage, water shortages and high fire risk.
The recent spike in the KBDI is largely driven by sunny skies and low humidity. With no significant rainfall to replenish moisture, the dry conditions are accelerating soil evaporation—pushing the Keetch-Byram Drought Index even higher and intensifying drought conditions.
This map isn’t a weather forecast — it’s a snapshot of what’s happening right now. It shows where drought is hitting hardest, using data collected through Tuesday morning.
Experts pull together a mix of science and on-the-ground reports, using tools like the Palmer Drought Severity Index and the Keech-Byram Index — which helps gauge fire risk.
These tools look at things like rainfall, soil moisture and how healthy the vegetation is to paint an accurate picture of current conditions.
What’s the Keech-Byram Index — and why it matters for burn bans
The Keech-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) helps measure how dry the ground and plants are — and how likely they are to catch fire. The scale goes from 0 to 800, with higher numbers meaning more fire danger.
When the KBDI hits 500 or above, fire risk is high. Over 700? That’s extreme. That’s usually when local officials start issuing burn bans to prevent wildfires.
The KBDI tells us how “burn-ready” the land is. And when it’s too dry, burning anything outdoors becomes a serious risk.
Why does this map matter? Because it’s not just about dry lawns — it affects real lives. The USDA uses the Drought Monitor to declare disaster areas. Local governments use it to decide when to issue burn bans. Even the IRS looks at it to help farmers get tax relief during tough times.
Drought touches everything: our food supply, water availability, energy use, wildfire risk — even public health. And unlike a thunderstorm, it doesn’t pass quickly. A few rainy days might make things look better on the surface, but real recovery takes time.
That’s why the Drought Monitor is so important. It helps us track and respond to a slow-moving crisis.
