The drought spread even more in Oklahoma over the past week, jumping 17% in the “severe” drought category, reported the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The latest map showed the Extreme Drought area rose from 45% of the state last week to 62% this week.
The Extreme Drought area also rose, from 13% a week ago to 22% in the latest report.
The growth only added to heightened concerns about increased chances for wildfires. Red Flag alerts were issued for much of the state and the Oklahoma Forestry Service said strong winds will only create dryer conditions.
The Drought Monitor explained “hot and dry conditions” dominated the South this week and temperatures soared 5 to 20 degree above normal across the vast majority of the region. As a result, coupled with persistent dryness, rainfall deficits grew one to three inches below average.
While Oklahoma has yet to see any areas of “Exceptional” drought, it crept into parts of northern Arkansas and southern Texas.
“Extreme drought was introduced in the Oklahoma Panhandle and expanded across central Oklahoma, northern Arkansas, southern Texas and central Oklahoma,” stated the Drought Monitor.
It said the severe drought worsened across parts of Oklahoma and other southern states.