The Palmer Drought Severity Index uses temperature and precipitation data to estimate 'relative' dryness. The index ranges from -10 to +10. An index value of zero represents the average moisture conditions observed between 1931 and 1990. Positive values mean wetter than average, negatives mean drier than average.
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In 2020, the United States saw wetter conditions than the average recorded from 1931 to 1990, with a score of **** on the Palmer Index. Meanwhile, 2000 was the driest year within the indicated period, with a Palmer Index of .
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OWID. (March 1, 2022). Annual drought severity in the United States from 1990 to 2020, based on Palmer Drought Severity Index [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from /statistics/1293480/annual-drought-severity-us/
OWID. "Annual drought severity in the United States from 1990 to 2020, based on Palmer Drought Severity Index." Chart. March 1, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 19, 2026. /statistics/1293480/annual-drought-severity-us/
OWID. (2022). Annual drought severity in the United States from 1990 to 2020, based on Palmer Drought Severity Index. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 19, 2026. /statistics/1293480/annual-drought-severity-us/
OWID. "Annual Drought Severity in The United States from 1990 to 2020, Based on Palmer Drought Severity Index." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 Mar 2022, /statistics/1293480/annual-drought-severity-us/
OWID, Annual drought severity in the United States from 1990 to 2020, based on Palmer Drought Severity Index ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1293480/annual-drought-severity-us/ (last visited July 19, 2026)
Annual drought severity in the United States from 1990 to 2020, based on Palmer Drought Severity Index [Graph], OWID, March 1, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1293480/annual-drought-severity-us/
