Rains banish dry conditions
The return of dry conditions in Western North Carolina appears to have been temporary after massive rains last week erased all dry spots from the mountain region.
According to the National Weather Service, Bryson City got 5.42 inches of rain May 23-27 and Asheville 5.54 inches May 22-26. The rains surged groundwater wells to daily record highs.
The U.S. Drought Monitor update released June 2, which reflects data through 8 a.m. May 31, records a dry spot in Davie, Rowan and Davidson counties as the furthest west occurrence of abnormally dry conditions. In the eastern part of the state, an additional 10 counties are in severe drought, 14 are in moderate drought and 14 are abnormally dry.