In June, the climate pattern just east of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and across much of the Canadian Prairies turned somewhat drier than normal. The June pattern was quite cool. In July, the dryness expands and intensifies.

A major drought is in-place across Southeast Europe and Western Turkey. Drought ALERT is widespread in these areas according to the Europe Drought Observatory (EDO). The NOAA/CPC daily soil moisture analysis identifies the Southeast Europe drought extension to Southwest Russia including most of the Black Sea region.

During the past few weeks, Saharan Dust propelled west and southwestward from Northwest Africa by easterly trade winds has increased. Visible satellite images from earlier today easily identify the dust clouds as light gray east of the Caribbean Sea.

Deep layer soil moisture deficits indicate the primary target for developing harsh drought currently located across the east/south Great Plains, parts of the Missouri and Tennessee Valley(s), and the Mid-Atlantic region.