Last Updated on August 28, 2015 10:37 am
The High Country remains abnormally dry to end the month of August, according to the US Drought Monitor.
While all of Watauga and three quarters of Ashe are in the abnormally dry classification, a majority of Avery County is in the moderate drought class.
Through August 26, Boone had officially recorded 6.16 inches of rain making it the 6th wettest August since 1980. However when looking at yearly totals so far, 31.72 inches was recorded making it the 12th driest August since 1980. By yearly comparison in 2013, at the same time, 64.63 inches was recorded en-route to breaking modern day rainfall records.
The statewide population affected by drought is 3,506,556. Graphics below also show the impact the lack of rain is having on cattle, hay & corn production in the region.
For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 29.48 percent of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 29.40 percent a week earlier.
Drought now affects 88,973,627 people, compared with 91,192,180 a week earlier.
For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 27.98 percent of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 27.92 percent a week earlier. Drought now affects 92,610,859 people, compared with 94,833,536 a week earlier.
High Country drought status Aug 25, 2015. Graphics: USDA
Drought comparison statewide Aug 25, 2015 to Aug 26, 2014
