Drought Conditions Cover Most Of NE Oklahoma

A exceptional drought across the western third of Oklahoma continues creep toward the northeast part of the state.

According to the latest figures from the U.S. National Drought Monitor, most of Osage, Nowata, Pawnee and Washington counties are in the grip of an extreme drought. Creek, Craig, Ottawa, Rogers and Tulsa counties are classified as moderate to severe drought and the rest of northeastern Oklahoma is abnormally dry.

The drought map released Thursday depicts areas of drought in progressive shades of yellow, orange to red. It is based on measurements of climate, soil and water conditions across Oklahoma.

The U.S. National Drought Monitor says Oklahoma's dry conditions has led to more damage to the winter wheat crop, which has felt the brunt of a cold winter and coinciding drought.

5/12/2014 Related Story: Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Suffering From Drought, Late Freeze

The only area spared from the drought so far in Oklahoma is in the southeast corner.