Much of the western United States is approaching severe drought, and New England has been unusually dry and hot. An estimated fifty-three million people are living in drought-affected areas. The map above shows conditions as of August 11, 2020. The map indicates drought intensity from orange to red. More than 93 percent of the land area in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico is in some level of drought; 69 percent of Utah, and 61 percent of Colorado. The effects of “severe” drought include stunted and browning crops, limited pasture yields, dust storms, reduced well water, and an increase in the number and severity of wildfires.