Rains came
The drought that afflicted much of America is officially over, USA Today reports.
The dry spell that affected much of the American West reached its worst point in 2002 and continued until last year.
But 75 percent of the United States has recovered. Burned-out pastures have revived, streams are running again and reservoirs are starting to fill up.
America is now experiencing the least amount of drought since it began monitoring the phenomenon 10 years ago. Some 75 percent of the country shows no drought. In 2002, about 72 percent of the United States was dry.
Last summer was wetter and cooler than normal in much of the United States. This fall has seen “waves of rain events,” according to climatologist Brian Fuchs of the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Farmers and ranchers can thank El Niņo, the warm winds that drift up from the equator and send moisture to the nation's interior. What is called the El Niņo effect is expected to strengthen in coming months.
Places like North Platte, Neb., have gone from drought to record precipitation. Heavy rains have improved the outlook in parts of Texas that had been drier than normal. North Dakota's reservoirs and streams have been replenished. Wyoming's meadows have changed from brown to green, and normal production of crops like hay, wheat and sugar beets has resumed.
Parts of the Midwest and Plains have received too much rain, slowing the harvest of corn and soybeans.
Overall, though, the outlook is brighter for much of the country that was suffering from lack of water. A new cycle has begun.
