Drought conditions are intensifying in both North and South Carolina, leading to the enforcement of a strict burn ban in 30 North Carolina counties, including Mecklenburg County.
Our increasing drought conditions comes as wildfires continue to spread in several areas of the NC Mountains.
Over half of the 22 counties in the Charlotte area are now experiencing severe drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies Severe Drought as the second level in a four-tier drought scale.
The latest data from the US Drought Monitor shows that more than half of North Carolina is currently in either Moderate or Severe Drought, the most widespread drought condition since July 5, 2022.
This is the third consecutive fall North Carolina has experienced Severe Drought. October’s preliminary data from the National Centers for Environmental Information indicates a statewide average rainfall of just 1.15 inches, ranking it as the 10th driest October since 1895 and the driest since 2000, which had an average of only 0.08 inches.
“We are definitely seeing more water systems going to voluntary conservation,” said DMAC chair Klaus Albertin in a press release. “Duke Energy has moved the Catawba-Wateree operations to Drought Level 1 and a salt wedge has moved inland on the Roanoke to a point above Domtar’s intake location. There is little evidence of significant rain happening in the coming week, either.”
Although light rain and moisture are expected to return to the forecast on Friday and over the weekend, the anticipated accumulation is minimal and unlikely to significantly alleviate the drought conditions. The expected rainfall, less than a tenth of an inch, may help in controlling the spread of wildfires but is not expected to bring substantial improvement in the overall drought situation.
The next update for the Charlotte drought monitor is scheduled for Thursday, November 16.
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Originally posted 2023-11-10 15:11:45.