Drought Update

This week's drought monitor was released this morning and there are no changes to the current drought status across North Carolina. That may change over the coming week if we do not pick up any soaking rains, and the chance for a soaking rain is not looking promising over the next several days. In fact, the outlook is not good for the next couple of weeks. The climate outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for the next 8-14 days is for below normal precipitation in the Carolinas.




If the dry weather continues, look for the severe drought to expand eastward across the state.

Here's a look at year to date rainfall deficits for select locations in North Carolina:

• Lumberton: -18.58"
• Wilmington: -14.26"
• Cape Hatteras: -13.65
• Asheville: -9.69"
• Greensboro: -8.02"
• Charlotte: -6.83"
• New Bern: -6.34"
• Raleigh-Durham: -3.51"

For more information on the drought status in North Carolina, you can view the drought monitor by clicking to http://www.ncdrought.org/. Long range forecasts across the country are available from the Climate Prediction Center at http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/.