A Month With No Rain Raises Extreme Drought Risk in Over a Dozen US Counties
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07212023/plxty3-e-y8-150x150.jpgThe United States reported abnormally high levels of rainfall last month. According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, the Lower 48 states reported an average rain accumulation of 3.2 inches throughout June 2025, exceeding the 2.9 inch baseline average for the month, recorded between 1901 and 2000. Despite the broad national trend, there were dozens of counties in the contiguous U.S. where no rain fell last month – and in many of these places, an unusually dry June has contributed to increasingly dangerous conditions.
In any area, a prolonged period of below-average precipitation can strain water supplies and raise the risk of drought. The most direct impacts of a drought can include loss of agricultural crops, reduced water quality, commercial delays on river-based shipping routes, and degradation of natural ecosystems. Droughts can also create the conditions for other devastating natural disasters, as forests and other vegetation become more flammable with lower moisture levels – allowing for lightning strikes or campfires to quickly spread and develop into uncontrolled wildfires.
In over a dozen U.S. counties, a lack of rainfall last month has either raised the risk of drought, or exacerbated existing drought conditions. Each of these counties are now reporting abnormally dry conditions in certain places. In several of these counties, large swaths of land area are currently suffering through moderate or severe drought.
Using data from NOAA and the U.S. Drought Monitor, Climate Crisis 247 identified the counties where a dry June has raised the threat of drought. Only counties that reported no precipitation last month, and where some portion of land area is now experiencing abnormally dry conditions were considered. Counties are ranked by the percentage of land area that are in severe drought, moderate drought, or abnormally dry conditions as of July 15, 2025. Data on June precipitation are from NOAA and drought data are from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Supplemental population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey.
The 15 counties on this list span three states – California, Utah, and Washington – and are collectively home to nearly 9.4 million people.
15. Contra Costa County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.13 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 5.9%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 1,161,458
14. Santa Clara County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.14 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 6.2%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 1,903,297
13. Sacramento County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.17 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 11.2%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 1,584,047
12. Tehama County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.71 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 28.0%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 65,520
11. Alameda County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.14 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 35.0%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 1,651,949
10. San Joaquin County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.11 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 79.4%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 787,416
9. San Benito County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.07 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 86.4%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 0%
- County population: 66,056
8. Stanislaus County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.09 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 95.5%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 1.6% moderate drought
- County population: 552,250
7. Tulare County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.18 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 100%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 21.0% moderate drought
- County population: 475,774
6. Franklin County, Washington
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.66 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 100%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 36.4% moderate drought
- County population: 97,676
5. Merced County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.07 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 99.8%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 59.3% moderate drought
- County population: 285,597
4. Benton County, Washington
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.57 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 100%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 71.5% moderate drought
- County population: 210,224
3. Rich County, Utah
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 1.17 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 100%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 100% moderate drought, 3.1% severe drought
- County population: 2,588
2. Santa Barbara County, California
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.04 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 100%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 75.1% moderate drought, 40.1% severe drought
- County population: 443,975
1. Grant County, Washington
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0 inches
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.68 inches
- Land area in county currently reporting abnormally dry conditions: 100%
- Land area in county currently reporting drought conditions: 100% moderate drought, 65.3% severe drought
- County population: 100,428
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