Experts estimate more than 670,000 people live in areas currently affected by drought in Alabama, and conditions are getting worse.
The latest assessment from the U.S. Drought Monitor program says more than one-third of the state is either abnormally dry or experiencing a drought. That's slightly worse than last week and much worse than the same time last year.
The program says about 672,000 people are in regions affected by dry weather. Many of those are in suburbs east and west of Birmingham in an area that includes parts of Jefferson, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties.
Extreme southeastern Alabama is experiencing a severe drought. Conditions there are worst north and west of Dothan.
Forecasters say some areas did see improvement after recent rains, and more rain is forecast.
