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Meteorologists have warned that large swathes of the United States are staring at a dangerously dry fall, with drought conditions worsening sharply across the West, the Midwest, and even parts of New England. The prolonged dryness has triggered growing fears of widespread wildfires, water shortages, and agricultural stress in several states.

West Faces Severe Drought Conditions

According to the latest US Drought Monitor released this week, drought in the Western United States has expanded significantly since June. Nearly 64 per cent of the West is now under drought conditions, up from 51 per cent in June, experts confirmed. The situation is particularly alarming in the Colorado River Basin, which supplies water to seven states, Mexico, and more than two dozen Native American tribes. Reports show that 100% of the basin is now in drought, including areas marked as “extreme” or “exceptional” drought. The Colorado River also powers hydroelectric plants and supports vast farmlands that provide a majority of the nation’s winter vegetables.

Water levels in Lake Powell, one of the main reservoirs on the Colorado River, remain precariously low. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report warned that hydropower generation at the facility could stop as early as December 2026 if the downward trend continues.

Northwest Declares Third Consecutive Year of Drought

In the Pacific Northwest, Washington state has declared drought for a third straight year. The Yakima River Basin, which relies heavily on reservoir storage, has seen water levels plunge to some of the lowest since records began in 1971. Neighboring Idaho, northern Oregon, and western Montana are also struggling with drought that, in some places, has persisted for nearly three years.

Wildfire Threat Intensifies in California

The worsening dryness is directly feeding wildfire risks. “High fire danger” is already being reported in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and northern California, meteorologists said. Looking ahead, the wildfire threat is expected to shift deeper into California. In October, fire risk will be highest in western and Southern California, while in November and December, the danger will concentrate in the southern part of the state. The Santa Ana winds, a dry seasonal wind pattern, are likely to increase the threat significantly during late autumn.

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It is not just the West. Parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast are also coping with a worsening dry spell. Rainfall deficits of 3 to 5 inches during August have led to falling soil moisture and declining streamflow. Farmers are reporting crop and livestock stress, while low water levels in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers are beginning to affect commercial navigation.

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The NOAA outlook predicts drought persistence in southeastern Missouri, southern and central Illinois, Michigan, and western Kentucky, with further development likely in Indiana and Ohio. With fire season peaking in coming weeks and reservoirs falling across the West, officials are urging communities to brace for a dry and dangerous fall.