By Natalina Sents Bausch | Published on January 9, 2026

The first U.S. Drought Monitor maps of 2026 were published on January 8. An analysis of the top 18 corn-growing states shows five key states have either D3 extreme or D4 exceptional drought at the start of the new year. Drought is generally more intense and widespread than at the beginning of 2025 in these states.

Illinois

More than 5% of Illinois reported D3 extreme drought, an increase from the last report of 2025. More than 14% of the state reported D2 severe drought conditions. Over half of the state is experiencing D1 moderate drought, according to the latest maps. Just 2% of the state is free of moisture stress.

At the beginning of 2025 more than half the state was free of moisture stress. At that time, the most intense drought was D1 moderate drought, impacting less than 15% of the state.

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Indiana

Drought conditions in Indiana also expanded as the calendar turned to 2026. Most of the moisture stress is reported in the northern half of the state. More than 9% of the Hoosier State reported D3 extreme drought in the map published Jan. 8. Nearly 17% of Indiana reported D2 severe drought. Almost 10% of the state is experiencing D1 moderate drought. Less than a third of Indiana is free of moisture stress.

At the beginning of last year nearly half the state was free of moisture stress. At that time, the most intense drought was D1 moderate drought, impacting just over 2% of the state.

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Ohio

More than 7% of Ohio reported D3 extreme drought in the latest publication. Most of the state’s moisture stress is focused in the northwest region. Portions of a few central and eastern counties reported abnormally dry conditions. More than 70% of the state is free of moisture stress.

At the beginning of 2025 more than 73% of Ohio was free of moisture stress. At that time, the most intense drought was D1 moderate drought, impacting slightly more than 6% of the state.

Texas

Less than 1% of Texas reported D4 exceptional drought in the latest publication. The state’s most dramatic drought conditions are focused in the southern half of the state. Nearly 9% of Texas reported D3 extreme drought conditions. Over 18% of the state reported D2 severe drought. Almost 30% of the state is impacted by D1 moderate drought. Over 11% of the state is free of moisture stress.

At the beginning of last year almost 37% of Texas was free of moisture stress. At that time, the most intense drought was D4 exceptional drought, spanning more than 6% of the state.

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Colorado

Less than 1% of Colorado reported D4 exceptional drought in the latest publication. More than 3% of the state reported D3 extreme drought conditions. D2 severe drought spans more than 11% of the state. More than 30% of Colorado reported D1 moderate drought. Nearly 26% of the state is free of moisture stress.

At the beginning of 2025 more than 71% of Colorado was free of moisture stress. At that time, the most intense drought was D3 extreme drought, impacting less than 1% of the state.

ARTICLE: SUCCESSFUL FARMING, JANUARY 9, 2026