After reaching record drought conditions just a few short years ago (with over 60% of the nation more than abnormally dry), the USDA's Drought Monitor site shows that the second-wettest April on record has shrunk the area of the U.S. suffering from drought to a new low of less than 5%.
As Bloomberg reports, the milestone was mentioned in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly report Wednesday on American farm production and may bode well for crop yields.
According to the gauge, there’s an “extreme drought” in south-central Florida and it’s “abnormally dry” in parts of the Southwest.
The map also shows the grain and soybean belt from Iowa to Ohio looks to have plenty of soil moisture -- maybe even too much in flooded areas -- as the growing season moves into full swing.