Drought conditions have intensified in central North Carolina, with parts of 10 counties in and around the Triangle now classified as experiencing exceptional drought. The majority of the rest of the state remains in extreme and severe drought. The counties in the Smoky Mountain News coverage area all have sections in severe and extreme drought.
According to the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council’s latest classifications issued Thursday, 10 counties are now in exceptional drought, 42 counties are in extreme drought, 46 counties are in severe drought and two counties are in moderate drought.
“The good rains the state received over Memorial Day weekend were helpful, but had a short-term impact,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC and water resources engineer with the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources. “Most areas are still showing one of their top five driest beginnings to the year.”
DMAC’s drought map is updated weekly on Thursdays based on conditions through the previous Tuesday. To view North Carolina’s drought map, visit ncdrought.org.
To learn more, visit our drought education page.