Dramatic drought grips the Carolinas as latest drought monitor signals worsening conditions
(WLOS) — The newest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the Carolinas are deepening into drought, with both states experiencing widespread dryness.
In North Carolina, 98% of the state is currently in some level of drought, and 62% of the territory is classified as Severe Drought. In South Carolina, the drought covers the entire state, with 53% in Severe Drought and a little over 10% in Extreme Drought.
Winter is usually a prime time for recharging soil moisture and replenishing streams. Instead, a stretch of dry weather, low humidity, and strong, gusty winds has driven up evaporation. Earlier snowfall offered only limited deep-soil recharge. The western Carolinas are facing some of the most significant winter precipitation shortfalls.
Drought monitor snapshot (as of Thursday, Feb. 12) — WLOS
Even with recent winter storms, the total liquid water from snow and ice fell short of compensating for the several-inch deficit built up since December. Snow can look impressive, but when it melts, it often delivers far less water than a steady soaking rain.
National Weather Service climate reports through Feb. 11 show Asheville with 5.36 inches of rainfall since Dec. 1, which is 4.32 inches below normal for this winter. Since Feb. 1, the deficit is 1.11 inches, with only 0.26 inches recorded in February so far.
In the Greenville-Spartanburg area, 4.22 inches of rain have fallen since Dec. 1, 5.90 inches below normal. The February rainfall deficit stands at 1.40 inches, with just 0.02 inches recorded this month.
To alleviate the drought in the western Carolinas, forecasts suggest a need for roughly five to eight inches of rain within the next 30 days.
Restoration of drought conditions will require multiple widespread soaking events over time, per data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Under typical climate expectations, western North Carolina would require about 10.8 inches of rain in a single month to erase drought conditions. The South Carolina Upstate would need around 15 inches, while nearby western South Carolina areas would require just over 10.5 inches.
For context, February’s average rainfall in the western Carolinas is typically three to four inches.
Whether conditions improve depends not only on individual rain events but also on soil moisture and streamflow trends turning upward in the weeks ahead.
During drought periods, residents are urged to conserve water, adhere to local burn restrictions, and avoid outdoor burning on dry or windy days.
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