"Drought Expands Throughout USA"

"The USA hasn't been this dry in almost five years."

"Still reeling from last year's devastating drought that led to at least $10 billion in agricultural losses across Texas and the South, the nation is enduring another unusually parched year.

A mostly dry, mild winter has put nearly 61% of the lower 48 states in "abnormally dry" or drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly federal tracking of drought. That's the highest percentage of dry or drought conditions since September 2007, when 61.5% of the country was listed in those categories.

Only two states — Ohio and Alaska — are entirely free of abnormally dry or drought conditions, according to the Drought Monitor.

The drought is expanding into some areas where dryness is rare, such as New England."

Doyle Rice reports for USA TODAY April 11, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Florida Left High and Dry and More Prone to Wildfires" (Climate Central)