Drought Monitor Update Thursday, August 22, 2024

Last Updated on August 22, 2024, 12:44 pm

In the latest drought update for North Carolina, conditions remain largely unchanged from last week.

According to the Condition Monitoring Observer Report (CMOR) system, most of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with some areas in the west and central regions experiencing moderate drought.

The CMOR system is a tool that allows the public to report on local drought conditions, and the data is used by the National Drought Mitigation Center to create the US Drought Monitor.

US Drought Monitor

The US Drought Monitor (USDM) is a map that is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country.

The USDM is produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is based on a variety of data sources, including precipitation data, soil moisture data, and reports from local observers.

The USDM is used by a variety of stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, water managers, and policymakers, to make decisions about how to manage drought.

Current Conditions

According to the latest USDM, as of August 22, 2024, 27.6% of North Carolina is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, while 18.6% is experiencing moderate drought.

The abnormally dry conditions are primarily located in the western and central regions of the state, while the moderate drought conditions are located in the northwestern and north-central regions.

The rest of the state is experiencing either normal or wet conditions.

Impacts

The drought is having a number of impacts on North Carolina, including:

• Reduced crop yields
• Lower water levels in rivers and lakes
• Increased wildfire risk

The drought is also having a negative impact on the state's economy, as farmers and businesses are losing money due to the reduced crop yields and water shortages.

Outlook

The National Weather Service is predicting that the drought will continue in North Carolina through the fall.

However, there is some hope that the drought may improve in the winter, as the state typically receives more precipitation during the winter months.

The National Drought Mitigation Center is urging North Carolina residents to take steps to conserve water and prepare for the possibility of the drought continuing.