US Cities Where Drought Is The Worst Right Now

New data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a sharp escalation in dry conditions heading into late November. Nearly 20% of the contiguous United States is in severe drought or worse, a level the country hasn’t seen since midsummer. In several parts of the Southwest, Great Plains, and interior West, conditions have tipped into exceptional drought – the most extreme category of drought, marked by widespread crop losses, water shortages, and heightened wildfire danger.

While drought remains widespread, the worst impacts are highly concentrated. At least 40% of land area is in extreme drought in 10 counties, representing 2.2 million Americans. These areas are grappling with depleted soil moisture, critically low stream flows, and tinder-dry vegetation that has prompted frequent fire weather alerts from the National Weather Service. A closer look at the data reveals the counties where drought is worst right now.

To determine the counties with the worst drought right now, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on current drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Counties were ranked based on the percentage of land area in exceptional drought as of November 25, 2025.

10. Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee is experiencing widespread extreme drought, with 46% of the city’s land area classified in that drought category. Dry, fire-prone conditions across the Southeastern Plains have intensified as November progresses. Nearly 200,000 residents are feeling the impacts as temperatures hover around 60°F.

9. Dothan, AL

Dothan has 44.5% of its land in extreme drought, reflecting a sharp drop in soil moisture across the Alabama Coastal Plain. The remainder of the city is also under significant drought stress. Around 71,000 people are facing increasingly dry landscapes as temperatures sit in the upper 50s.

8. San Marcos, TX

San Marcos is under substantial drought pressure, with 28.6% of the city in extreme drought this week. Persistent heat and dry weather across the Texas Blackland Prairies have worsened local conditions.

7. San Antonio, TX

San Antonio currently has 0.1% of its land area in extreme drought, but nearly the entire city is still experiencing significant dryness just below that threshold. Hot, dry weather has dominated South Central Texas throughout November.

6. Kokomo, IN

Kokomo is among the hardest-hit places in the Midwest, with 100% of the city in extreme drought. The Eastern Corn Belt Plains have been unusually dry for weeks, leaving soils and vegetation stressed.

5. Champaign, IL

Champaign is entirely in extreme drought, with 100% coverage across the city. Precipitation deficits across central Illinois continue to deepen the dryness.

4. Albany, GA

Albany is also fully engulfed in extreme drought, with 100% of its land area in this second-highest drought level. The Southwestern Georgia region has seen prolonged rainfall shortages.

3. Valdosta, GA

Valdosta is facing uniform drought stress, with 100% of the city in extreme drought this week. Dry conditions across South Central Georgia have steadily intensified as continued moisture loss increases fire risk.

2. Muncie, IN

Muncie is completely in extreme drought, with 100% coverage across the city. A persistent lack of rainfall in the Eastern Corn Belt Plains has depleted soil moisture. Roughly 65,000 people are experiencing worsening drought impacts despite cooler seasonal temperatures.

1. New Braunfels, TX

New Braunfels is seeing 100% of its land area in extreme drought, making it one of the hardest-hit cities in Texas. The Blackland Prairies remain unusually hot and dry heading into late November. Nearly 93,000 residents are contending with heightened fire danger and deepening moisture deficits.