The drought that ravaged much of the U.S. in 2012 shows no sign of letting up. Spring rains have eased concerns in the Southeast and in some areas of the Midwest, but other sections are not so lucky.

“The western half of the country is bad and will probably get even worse,” said Richard Heim, a drought monitor expert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“In the plains and California, the long term drought conditions are degrading. It’s going to be while before they get better,” Heim said.

Nearly 51 percent of the U.S. is still in a drought. That’s down from 65 percent in all of 2012- the most severe and extensive drought conditions in 25 years and the hottest year on record, according to the NOAA.

But what’s keeping drought watchers on edge this year are rainfall predictions for states like Texas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Arizona and California.

Those predictions are expected to be low again this year, helping to create more sun baked lawns and water starved fields.

New Mexico has issued warnings that its entire chili growing season this year is in jeopardy from lack of rain. Drought and water demand has pushed the Colorado River – which services seven western states – to the top spot on a list of American endangered waterways. The governors of Kansas and Oklahoma signed emergency drought relief measures into law this month.

“The West is a naturally arid region and there’s always a deficit of moisture to match evaporation and demand,” Heim said. “But with the indicators for rainfall being so low, it’s not looking good.”

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