More Than Half the U.S. in Drought
July 6, 2012
Drought conditions are present in 56 percent of the continental United States, the National Weather Service announced on July 5. The prolonged heat wave across the Midwest is not only setting record high temperatures, it is expanding and intensifying drought conditions. “This year the high temperatures have certainly played into this drought,” noted Brad Rippey, a meteorologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “There’s a lot more evaporation . . . and crop demands for water.”
Corn stunted by lack of rain (courtesy of AP/Wide World)
According to the Weather Service’s weekly Drought Monitor, the drought is starting to “take a significant toll” on food supplies. . . . “In the primary growing states for corn and soybeans, 22 percent of the crop is in poor or very poor condition, as are 43 percent of the nation’s pastures and rangelands and 24 percent of the sorghum crop.” The extreme heat has taken an especially high toll on corn crops, driving up prices. The ongoing drought is also forcing ranchers in the West to ship cattle to market, driving down beef prices.
Additional World Book article:
- When the Rain Stops (a special report)
