Last Updated on February 12, 2022 6:37 pm
The dry weather continues to impact western North Carolina as 11 counties continue to be in moderate drought, three are now in extreme drought and nine are in severe drought.
Watauga and Avery remains in moderate drought, while Ashe County is in the abnormally dry status. The lastest update according from the North Carolina Drought Management Council shows southwestern North Carolina experiencing the most severe conditions. Cherokee, Clay and Macon counties have been added to the extreme drought status, marking the first time all year that any North Carolina county is under that advisory. Last week 7 counties were in severe drought, 16 in moderate and 5 abnormally dry.
Through Tuesday October 18 there has been 2.17 inches of rain officially recorded in Boone, making it the 13th wettest October so far since 1980. For the year 36.53 inches of precipitation has been recorded, making it the 6th driest since 1980.
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.
Drought map October 18, 2016 from the North Carolina Drought Management Council
