July 17 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows drought spreading and intensifying
• The July 17, 2012, U.S. Drought Monitor map showed increases in the area of the United States in all categories of drought, setting a record for the third consecutive week for the total area of the country in drought during the 12-year history of the map. As of July 17, 53.17 percent of the country was in moderate drought or worse, up from 50.92 percent a week earlier.
• "We continue to see drought spreading and intensifying," said Brian Fuchs, climatologist and U.S. Drought Monitor author at the National Drought Mitigation Center, based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "Even though we've made improvements in places like Texas where they've had rain, drought has expanded in other areas, like eastern Iowa."
• Statistics released with the July 17 Drought Monitor map show 53.17 percent of the United States and Puerto Rico in moderate drought or worse, compared with 50.92 percent a week ago; 35.32 percent severe or worse, compared with 31.11 percent a week ago; 11.32 percent extreme or worse, compared with 9.71 percent a week ago; and .83 percent exceptional or worse, compared with .62 percent a week ago.
• "The dryness and heat wave pattern are still locked in," Fuchs said. "The latest forecast says this isn't changing. This could easily go on into September."
• The U.S. Drought Monitor map is produced in collaboration by the National

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