The United States is currently grappling with a historic drought, with more than 61% of the contiguous states experiencing conditions ranging from moderate to exceptional, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Southeast region, with 97% of its area affected, and the West, where two-thirds of the area is in drought, are facing particularly severe impacts. Data from NOAA indicates that March recorded the highest Palmer Drought Severity Index since 1895, marking it as the third-driest month on record. This situation is exacerbated by record-breaking heat, which has resulted in low snow levels in the West, a region that typically relies on snowmelt for water during the summer months. A jet stream pattern that pushes storms northward is a significant contributing factor, affecting the South from Texas to the East Coast.