Raleigh, NC — A stubborn stretch of dry weather is tightening its grip on the Southern Atlantic region, with drought concerns expanding from Virginia through the Carolinas and Georgia into Florida as rainfall deficits continue to build.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor and North Carolina drought officials, much of the Southeast has seen little to no meaningful rainfall in recent weeks, with month-to-date precipitation from central North Carolina to northern Florida falling to 25% of normal or less in many areas. The dry pattern, paired with warmer-than-normal conditions in much of the region, has worsened soil moisture, streamflow and short-term drought indicators.
North Carolina remains one of the states under the greatest strain. State drought officials said conditions assessed through March 31 showed severe drought covering most of the Coastal Plain, while extreme drought emerged in parts of the Mountains. The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council said nearly 80% of the state was in severe drought and about 9.6% was in extreme drought. Officials also pointed to record-low groundwater in Cherokee County, daily record-low streamflows in the Neuse River basin and wildfire activity in Wilkes County.
Across the broader Southeast, drought also intensified in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The U.S. Drought Monitor said exceptional drought expanded from southern Georgia into northern Florida, while extreme drought grew in parts of North Carolina, Georgia and western Florida. In Virginia, some western pockets saw minor improvement after isolated rainfall, though dry conditions remain a concern elsewhere in the region.
The National Weather Service office in Raleigh said Wednesday that very dry weather was expected to persist across central North Carolina, with slim rain chances over the next seven days. Forecasters said that trend could prolong drought stress across the Southern Atlantic states unless a wetter pattern develops soon.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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