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Use these links to access detailed analyses of Global and U.S. data.
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December 2002 was wet across much of the southern and eastern U.S., and heavy rain and snow fell across parts of the west coast. The 2002 drought areas in the Northeast and Southeast have received much-above normal precipitation during the last several months, with mainly just long-term hydrological deficits remaining.
The month was unusually dry across parts of the central Plains to northern Great Lakes, compounding a dry pattern that continued from November. December was drier than normal at most of the primary stations in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. These overall conditions are evident in the following indicators:
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Western U.S. Drought
| A series of Pacific storms brought above-normal rain and snow to much of the west coast during December. California's Sierra Nevada benefitted significantly from the November and December snows, but the wetness dropped off to the north and east, with some parts of the interior Far West experiencing moderate drought this month. |
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| Significant long-term moisture deficits remain, however. Several states had the tenth driest, or drier, year in 2002 with Colorado ranking as the driest in the last 108 years. Long-term drought, below-normal mountain snowpack, and depleted reservoirs remained a serious concern across much of the Far West. |
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A detailed review of drought conditions is available for the following regions and states: |
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Central U.S. Drought
| December was dry across much of the central Plains to northern Great Lakes region. This is reflected both by below-normal precipitation amounts as well as deficient snow cover and drier-than-normal soil moisture in the upper and lower soil layers. This month ranked as the driest December on record, statewide, for Iowa and second driest for Nebraska. When the December dryness is combined with the unusual dryness of November, four states rank as having the driest or second driest November-December on record (see map below right). |
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The November-December dryness exacerbated conditions in the central and northern Plains states, which have experienced drought for much of the year. Severe to extreme long-term (hydrololgical) drought intensified over parts of the central Plains and developed over parts of the Great Lakes. A detailed discussion of drought conditions is available for the following regions and states: |
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Eastern U.S. Drought
| December marked the fourth consecutive wet month across much of the former drought areas of the Northeast and Southeast regions. The drought recovery was reflected in stream levels and moist topsoil conditions. However, although ground water levels were recovering, they were still below average in many locations. Long-term precipitation deficits remained from parts of Georgia to Virginia and across much of Maine. |
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A detailed discussion of drought conditions is available for the following regions and states: |
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Additional Contacts:
Damage due to the drought has been summarized by NOAA and the Office of Global Programs in the Climatological Impacts section of the Climate Information Project. Crop impact information can be found at the USDA NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) and Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin pages. Drought statements by local National Weather Service Offices can be found at the NWS Hydrologic Information Center. Drought threat assessments and other information can be found at NOAA's Drought Information Center. Additional drought information can be found at the National Drought Mitigation Center, the USDA's National Agricultural Library, the interim National Drought Council, and the NOAA Paleoclimatology Program. The following states have set up web pages detailing current drought conditions and/or their plans to handle drought emergencies:
For additional information on current and past wildfire seasons please see the National Interagency Fire Center web site or the U.S. Forest Service Fire and Aviation web site. NCDC's Drought Recovery Page shows the precipitation required to end or ameliorate droughts and the probability of receiving the required precipitation. Additional climate monitoring graphics can be found at the Climate Prediction Center's monitoring pages:
Drought conditions on the Canadian prairies can be found at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Drought Watch page. |
For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
Climate Services DivisionFor further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.info@noaa.gov
Richard Heim-or-
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
Jay Lawrimore
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov
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