Weather
Raleigh, NC Drought Update: Dry Weather Continues Through Tuesday Nov 3
Raleigh, NC – Worsening drought conditions across North Carolina are expected to continue through at least Tuesday, November 3, as a Canadian high pressure system keeps much of the state dry and delay
By Miles Carter · 2026-10-31T18:17:15.725Z
Raleigh, NC – Worsening drought conditions across North Carolina are expected to continue through at least Tuesday, November 3, as a Canadian high pressure system keeps much of the state dry and delays potential rainfall relief until later next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, dry weather will persist through Tuesday, with no immediate relief expected for areas already experiencing moderate to severe drought. Rain could return during the middle or latter part of next week, although the timing and amounts remain uncertain.
The latest North Carolina drought assessment, covering conditions through October 27, shows moderate drought affecting 29.87% of the state and severe drought covering another 29.87%. Extreme drought affects an additional 2.44%.
Combined, approximately 62% of North Carolina is experiencing moderate drought or worse.
Eastern North Carolina has been particularly hard hit following an unusually dry October. Moderate and severe drought conditions have expanded south and east of Raleigh, reaching coastal communities.
Jacksonville is experiencing its driest start to fall in 24 years, with only 2.24 inches of rainfall recorded since September 1, according to the state's drought update.
At Cape Hatteras, rainfall deficits have reached 9.56 inches, while streamflow levels in parts of the Sandhills have fallen to daily record lows.
The state's Coastal Plain is also experiencing both longer term moisture deficits and emerging short term impacts following a warm, dry fall.
Conditions remain somewhat better in western North Carolina, where earlier rainfall helped maintain near normal soil moisture in many locations. However, shallow soil moisture is gradually declining.
With high pressure expected to dominate through Tuesday, drought affected communities should not anticipate meaningful rainfall in the immediate forecast.
Residents, farmers and water dependent businesses are encouraged to monitor local drought conditions and future rainfall forecasts as the dry pattern continues.