If you think it’s been dry recently, you’d be correct. The US Department of Agriculture releases drought monitor updates weekly on Thursdays, and over the past 2-3 months a substantial drought has emerged over Georgia.
This is the first appearance of an “extreme drought” (the red area) in quite some time, and indicates just how dry it has been. Most of the area is considered in a “severe” drought with a very small section of Towns and Union Counties only in a “moderate” drought. There are likely small areas where afternoon storms have dumped enough rain to erase this drought, however overall we remain quite dry. Compare this to last week’s map and you can see how quickly the drought conditions are spreading.
So far, the most obvious effects have been brown grass and hot weather, however as we head through the next 2-4 weeks there does not appear to be a substantial wet pattern aside from scattered afternoon storms. There are also no tropical systems coming up that could help, so this drought will likely continue to worsen through the month of July.
Below are some various rainfall deficits as of July 1. All cities with a (?) may have missing data.
Blairsville: -4.53″
Commerce: -5.29″
Dahlonega: -8.6″ (?)
Gainesville: -8.93″
Carnesville: -10.62 (?)
Cornelia: -11.24″ (?)
Elberton: -9.05″
Toccoa: -8.38″
Also, Lake Lanier is 2.66′ below full pool, Lake Burton is +.23′ above fool pool, with other lakes missing reports currently.
I’ll be updating this every week (probably on Friday or Saturday from here on out) as long as the drought persists. If you live in Habersham County and keep accurate rainfall records please contact me at [email protected].
Everybody have a great day!~TW
