摘要：Precipitation received for the 12 months prior to 31 August, 2002 place last year¡¯s drought as one of the
worst on record since 1885 for much of the West. States that have set records for their driest September to
August overall precipitation ever recorded include Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah while Wyoming
recorded its second driest period ever between these months (NOAA, National Climatic Data Center). Areas
rated by the US drought monitor as experiencing exceptional drought conditions by this date include northern
Arizona and New Mexico; southern Utah; western Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota; and large portions of
Colorado and Wyoming. The states of California, Oregon, and Washington were also greatly impacted by this
drought. Pasture conditions were rated as very poor to poor for 90, 63, and 51 percent of these states¡¯
respective grazing lands for the week ending 1 September, 2002 (USDA/NASS).
