Drought Conditions in South Carolina

United States Drought Monitor (USDM):

The United States Drought Monitor (USDM) is a weekly, national product that maps areas of drought intensity. Click on the title of this tile to visit the USDM website, or click on the image to see the current USDM map of South Carolina. Drought intensity is explained on the “About” tab of the USDM website: What is the U.S. Drought Monitor,” while past maps can be found on the “Maps” tab: “Map Archive”.

USDM Infographic for South Carolina

The dropdown bar provides the archive of a USDM infographic for South Carolina, which is a weekly, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’s (SCDNR) product that explains the conditions that drive the status of the state on the USDM map.

Crop Moisture Index (CMI):

Weekly, national product that depicts agricultural growing season short-term (up to 4 weeks) dryness or wetness at a climate division level. Climate Prediction Center within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides this data for South Carolina.

• Weekly CMI Data Table

The Crop Moisture Index (CMI) is mapped nationally at the county division level each week.

• National CMI Map

Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI):

Weekly, national product that depicts prolonged (month, years) abnormally dry or wet conditions. Climate Prediction Center within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides this data for South Carolina.

• Weekly PDSI Data Table

The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) has multiple maps produced on weekly basis since it has a longer history as a drought indicator. These maps also depict data at the climate division level.

• National PDSI Map
• National PDSI Percentile Ranking Maps
• Needed Precipitation to Return PDSI to Normal Range

Streamflow Levels:

Weekly, SCDNR product based on U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow data.

• USGS Real-time Streamflow Data
• USGS 7-day Average Streamflow Data
• USGS 14-day Average Streamflow Data
• USGS 28-day Average Streamflow Data
• USGS Monthly Average Streamflow Data

Lake/Reservoir Levels:

Weekly, SCDNR product that depicts reservoir levels.

• Lake level Information

Groundwater:

Bi-weekly, SCDNR product that depicts groundwater levels.

• Groundwater Level Monitoring Network
• Groundwater Drought Monitoring Network
• Groundwater Data

Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI):

Daily, national product that depicts forest fire potential. The Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS) within the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) provides this data.

• About Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)