Drought Monitor Update – Thursday, August 15, 2024

Last Updated on August 16, 2024 5:59 am

In the latest drought update for North Carolina conditions are much improved across the state but the High Country continues to be classified in drought status.

The recent rainfall from Storm Debby was the major contributing factor to counties outside of the High Country now no longer in any drought situation. However on the mountain, we didn't quite get enough rain to wipe out the deficit.

A majority of Watauga, Ashe, and Avery remain in abnormally dry status this week.

The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows zero counties in the Extreme Drought status, zero counties in the Severe Drought category, 0 counties in Moderate Drought, and 18 in Abnormally Dry status which is down from 48 two weeks ago.

Drought categories are based on streamflow, groundwater levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, soil moisture, the time of year, and other relevant factors for assessing the extent and severity of dry conditions.

D0 – Abnormally Dry

• Alleghany
• Ashe
• Avery
• Burke
• Caldwell
• Cherokee
• Clay
• Graham
• Haywood
• Henderson
• Jackson
• Macon
• McDowell
• Surry
• Swain
• Transylvania
• Watauga
• Wilkes

Total: 18