The U.S. Drought Monitor map released September 10, 2026, with data valid through September 8, shows exceptional drought (D4) confined to limited areas in a handful of states, representing roughly 1.5% of the contiguous U.S. amid 49% overall drought coverage. Recent short-term precipitation deficits, above-normal temperatures, and declining soil moisture and streamflows have sustained or expanded D4 in parts of the South-Central region and West, while scattered rains eased conditions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. The monitor integrates official measurements from NOAA, USDA, and USGS alongside local reports; D4 denotes conditions in the lowest 0–2 percentile historically. The next weekly update, incorporating any additional rainfall or model shifts, will be released September 17 and could alter state-level D4 designations.