Drought conditions increased across the US in week ended August 30, with heat and limited moisture maintaining or worsening drought conditions across Central and Southern US.

 Despite experiencing near-, or in some cases, below-normal temperatures, drought intensity increased in many primary growing areas of the Ohio Valley and Midwest, according to a federal weekly drought monitor.

 In Texas and southern Oklahoma, drought intensified, with vast majority of Texas and Oklahoma facing an exceptional drought.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Irene brought widespread, locally excessive rain to Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US.

Overall US drought levels increased last week, leaving 45.9% of contiguous US facing moisture deficits. Drought conditions stand 14.4 points above year-ago levels.

(andrew.johnsonjr@dowjones.com)

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires