The Drought Monitor is intended to provide a general and up-to-date summary of current drought conditions across the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific possessions. This national product is designed to provide the "big picture" so the general public, media, government officials, and others can see what is happening around the country. To keep the map from becoming too complex, the drought categories shown represent typical drought intensities, not every drought intensity, within the area. 

The map is not designed to depict local conditions or to replace drought warnings and watches issued by local or regional government entities. Local or state entities may be monitoring different indicators than those used in the Drought Monitor to meet specific needs or to address local problems. As a consequence, there could be water shortages or crop failures within an area not designated as drought, just as there could be locations with adequate water supplies in an area designated as D3 or D4 (extreme or exceptional) drought.