Severe Drought Affects Most of United States

Bucks County is facing one of the worst droughts in a generation, with October recording only 0.01 inches of rainfall—marking the driest month in nearly 130 years. Over a third of the county is currently classified under 'extreme drought', and experts warn that substantial rain is needed to alleviate the situation significantly. Concurrently, nearly half of the continental U.S. is experiencing varying degrees of drought, with states like Maryland and South Dakota reporting 100% drought coverage. This trend is attributed to climate change, water mismanagement, and shifting weather patterns, leading to severe impacts on agriculture and water supplies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration links the current drought expansion to a very dry October and elevated temperatures, which exacerbate evaporation and strain water resources. While some regions anticipate potential relief from upcoming precipitation, the overall drought conditions remain dire across many states.