Map shows California’s current drought status as record heat bakes the region

Record-breaking temperatures are scorching California, baking an already dry region.

On Tuesday, downtown Sacramento broke an almost century old record with an all-time high temperature of 116 degrees. Throughout California, power grids are straining as energy usage soars, teetering towards potential blackouts.

Heat waves are known for worsening drought conditions. According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, an environmental non-profit, heat waves intensified prolonged drought in 2020 in the western and central United States.

All parts of California are seeing some level of drought conditions, ranging from abnormally dry to exceptional drought.

On the interactive map below, see your area’s current drought status. The data is from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Map shows California’s current drought status as record heat bakes the region."