Two weeks of garden weather
How has garden dryness changed?
Press play to watch the last two weeks. Redder areas had more nearby ZIP codes with dry weather, while faded areas had less local weather information.
Garden dryness across the U.S.
Loading recent weather…
Preparing the map…
How to use the answer
Look for changes, not exact boundaries.
Use this map as an early heads-up. It can show where dry weather is spreading, easing, or staying in place.
- Watch the full animation before treating one red area as a lasting trend.
- Point to an area to see how many nearby ZIP codes looked dry.
- Check local watering rules and the official drought map before taking action.
Where the information comes from
- Sow’s recent weather checks — ZIP code results are combined before they reach the map
- U.S. Census Bureau 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files — state outlines for the continental U.S.
- U.S. Drought Monitor — the official weekly U.S. drought map
Questions gardeners ask
Is this the official U.S. Drought Monitor?
No. This map combines Sow’s recent weather checks to give gardeners an early look at drying conditions. Use the U.S. Drought Monitor for official drought information and local authorities for watering rules.
What do the colors mean?
Redder areas have more nearby ZIP codes showing drought or a dry spell. Lighter, faded areas have less local weather information, so use them as a broad guide rather than an exact boundary.
Why are nearby areas blended together?
Nearby ZIP codes are blended together so you can see the broader pattern without a patchy map. As Sow gathers more local weather information, the map can show smaller areas in greater detail.
Why might the dates skip a day?
The map shows the fourteen most recent days when new weather information was ready. It skips gaps instead of making a missing day look like everything was normal.