Drought Forecast For Southwest, California 'Not Optimistic'

Most of the Southwest as well as parts of California and the Southeast can expect drought conditions to worsen through July, federal forecasters said Thursday.

"Overall, the current Drought Outlook is not optimistic," the National Weather Service said in summarizing its forecast.

Besides affecting farmers and ranchers, drought means a greater risk of wildfires, especially in those areas expecting a warmer than average spring. A rash of brush fires earlier this month up and down the East Coast could be a preview of a long, hot spring and summer.

"May – July is expected to be warmer than normal" in the Southwest and West, the service added in a more detailed report.

"For most of the southwestern and western part of the country, drought is expected to persist in most locations and expand into the central Rockies," it added.

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