Drought shrinks following Christmas rain
![Drought maps are published every Thursday. U.S. Drought Monitor of N.C. map](https://smokymountainnews.s3.amazonaws.com/media/k2/items/cache/8cf78a5cae2774c2143375ff6d0fb54d_XL.jpg?javer=2407260758?t=20240105_141509)
While some may have preferred a white Christmas, the rain that covered the region instead has proven the better Christmas gift for a region in continued drought.
According to the most recent drought map based on data through 8 a.m. Dec. 26, the area in severe drought has shrunk from 21 western counties to just five — Macon, Swain, Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties. Moderate drought still covers an additional 31 counties, including Haywood, Jackson, Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties, with another 31 counties rated abnormally dry.
Two-day totals for Dec. 25-26 were 2.68 inches in Asheville, 1.44 inches in Cullowhee, 4.8 inches in Highlands and 1.65 inches in Oconaluftee.