Nearly two-thirds of the USA is in a drought

Almost two-thirds of the nation -- around 61% -- is now in a drought, the highest percentage in at least 12 years, federal climate scientists announced today.

Twelve full states --- Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri -- are in a drought or considered "abnormally dry," according to the government's U.S. Drought Monitor.

The Northeast is the only region untouched, although many parts of it are still classified as abnormally dry.

In addition to the wildfire-charred West, the Midwest corn belt is particularly hard-hit: "In the 18 primary corn-growing states, 30% of the crop is now in poor or very poor condition," says meteorologist Rich Tinker of the Climate Prediction Center.

In Indianapolis, which the National Weather Service says is enduring its longest dry spell in 104 years, Mayor Greg Ballard has declared a water shortage warning, banning watering of lawns and restricting other water uses.

Little relief is in sight in hard-hit parts of the Midwest. Areas near and west of the Mississippi River in the region will see a return of 100-degree temperatures, higher humidity, warmer nights and little or no rainfall into next week, reports AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

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