Drought conditions greatly expanded across Alabama — and they likely will get worse with no rain in sight in the near future.

The U.S. Drought Monitor released its weekly snapshot of drought conditions across the state (and the nation) on Thursday. It shows a marked increase in extreme drought conditions across Alabama and nearly all the state in drought or on the verge of it.

Nearly all of north Alabama has now entered extreme drought, which is Level 3 out of 4 drought levels, according to the Drought Monitor report.

North Alabama joins parts of southwest Alabama in extreme drought. According to this week’s report 28.70 percent of Alabama is now in extreme drought, an increase from 11.58 percent last week.

A large part of the state as of this week is now in severe drought, or Level 2 out of 4. This week 58.37 percent of Alabama is classified as in severe drought, up from 53.82 percent last week.

The next category is moderate drought, or Level 1, and that makes up 95.39 percent of Alabama, an increase from 89.31 percent last week.

Areas that aren’t in those drought categories are considered abnormally dry or on the verge of drought. Only 0.43 percent of Alabama is not abnormally dry or in drought as of Thursday’s report.

But that could change next week — and not for the better. The National Weather Service is forecasting slim chances for rain during the upcoming week.

According to forecasters the next best chance for any measurable rain may not arrive until late next week and the approach of a strong cold front. But that’s not a sure thing by any means.

Here is the precipitation outlook for the next seven days from NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center:

The bad news is the WPC is not expecting any measurable rainfall across Alabama for the next seven days.

Next week’s Drought Monitor report will be released on Nov. 9.