Current U.S. Drought Monitor conditions as of mid-August 2026 show exceptional (D4) drought covering roughly 1.1% of the contiguous United States, concentrated in western Nebraska, parts of Colorado, northeastern Oregon, southern Idaho, and pockets of the southern Plains, driven by record July heat, inadequate monsoon moisture, and persistent dryness that has depleted soil moisture and streamflow. The weekly map, produced jointly by NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center, integrates precipitation, temperature, and hydrologic data; the next release covering conditions through late August is scheduled for August 27. The 6–10-day Climate Prediction Center outlook for August 25–29 favors below-normal rainfall across much of Texas and above-normal temperatures nationwide outside the far West Coast, limiting near-term relief while potential eastern showers offer little benefit to core D4 zones.