Every year many gardeners across the country suffer through drought, and this year parts of the upper Midwest, mid-Atlantic region, and Texas have been especially dry. Now there is a Web site that can help you not only see where drought conditions exist in the country, but also see the short- and long-term forecasts for future droughts.

The Drought Monitor was created by the U.S. Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, in partnership with the USDA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This monitor uses multiple drought indices, weather outlooks, and local news accounts to determine drought conditions across the country. It features six- and twelve-week drought forecasts, a narrative describing droughts in various locations, maps, and links to other sites relating to drought prediction.

To check out the Drought Monitor Web site, go to: Drought Mitigation Center.