2012's drought ranks alongside some years during the infamous Dust Bowl. (Ewan Bellamy/Creative Commons)

Data computed from the Palmer Drought Severity index revealed that 54.6 percent of the contiguous 48 states suffered through drought at the end of June, which is the highest percentage since December 1956, The Weather Channel reported. The current drought covers slightly more area than the famous 1936 drought, but still ranks below other droughts during the Dust Bowl years.

This year’s drought ranks as the 10th largest severe drought since 1895, and experts predict the situation could get worse in July, which is typically the hottest month of the year. The NCDC report showed that a combination of well-below-average precipitation and extreme heat from the Southwest to the Midwest expanded drought conditions aggressively.

Read the full story at The Weather Channel here.

Reach Executive Producer Danny Lee here; follow him here.