20 Cities With The Worst Drought Right Now
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07211605/Current-drought-conditions-as-of-July-24-2025-150x150.pngNationwide, 17.8% of the country is in severe to exceptional drought, the 17th share of the last 52 weeks. While just 0.7% of the country is in exceptional drought – the most severe category of drought intensity – there are several major cities completely engulfed by drought conditions. In these drought-stricken metros, nonabsorbent soil and dry vegetation are also increasing fire risk, while lack of rain is stressing out water systems.
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To determine the cities with the worst drought conditions right now, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Cities were ranked based on the percentage of land area in extreme to exceptional drought as of July 23 2025. Data was aggregated in QGIS using spatial boundaries from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only cities with at least 50,000 residents were considered.
20. Peoria, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 6.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 455.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 100.9°F
- Value of all homes: $23.0 billion
- Total population: 191,292
19. Scottsdale, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 45.5%
- Annual water withdrawals: 220.8% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 98.1°F
- Value of all homes: $65.5 billion
- Total population: 240,537
18. Glendale, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 52.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 395.1% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 102.8°F
- Value of all homes: $16.6 billion
- Total population: 248,083
17. Phoenix, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 57.9%
- Annual water withdrawals: 306.4% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 101.8°F
- Value of all homes: $140.9 billion
- Total population: 1,609,456
16. Tucson, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 75.6%
- Annual water withdrawals: N/A
- Temperature maximum this week: 97.3°F
- Value of all homes: $27.8 billion
- Total population: 541,033
15. San Antonio, TX
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 78.2%
- Annual water withdrawals: 79.4% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 97.7°F
- Value of all homes: $67.1 billion
- Total population: 1,445,662
14. Buckeye, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 81.2%
- Annual water withdrawals: 184.5% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 103.0°F
- Value of all homes: $8.7 billion
- Total population: 95,042
13. Goodyear, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 99.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 186.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 104.3°F
- Value of all homes: $10.9 billion
- Total population: 97,542
12. El Paso, TX
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 126.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 94.5°F
- Value of all homes: $27.4 billion
- Total population: 677,181
11. Albuquerque, NM
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 59.9% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 94.6°F
- Value of all homes: $41.1 billion
- Total population: 562,551
10. Rio Rancho, NM
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 59.9% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 93.8°F
- Value of all homes: $9.0 billion
- Total population: 104,351
9. Las Cruces, NM
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 124.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 94.4°F
- Value of all homes: $5.4 billion
- Total population: 111,273
8. Hemet, CA
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 530.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 88.1°F
- Value of all homes: $5.0 billion
- Total population: 89,651
7. Tempe, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 365.8% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 103.0°F
- Value of all homes: $12.8 billion
- Total population: 181,005
6. Mesa, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 587.2% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 102.6°F
- Value of all homes: $44.1 billion
- Total population: 503,390
5. San Tan Valley, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 100.6°F
- Value of all homes: $9.4 billion
- Total population: 101,207
4. Chandler, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 102.9°F
- Value of all homes: $31.8 billion
- Total population: 275,618
3. Avondale, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 273.6% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 102.7°F
- Value of all homes: $5.3 billion
- Total population: 89,214
2. Gilbert, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 103.0°F
- Value of all homes: $34.2 billion
- Total population: 267,267
1. Yuma, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 101.8% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 104.0°F
- Value of all homes: $4.9 billion
- Total population: 96,314
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