Dry conditions impacting 99 N.C. counties

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) has classified all or part of 99 counties as in moderate drought or abnormally dry, with high temperatures and low precipitation driving the rapid deterioration of conditions across the state. 

Pray for the best, prepare for the worst

After what Haywood County has been through does anyone want to think about the hurricane season from June 1 to November 30? After watching my office being destroyed in 2004 along with most of Downtown Canton, I sure don’t want to be reminded. But we need to be.

N.C. declared drought-free

For the first time since August, North Carolina is now drought-free. Some areas of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon and Dare counties remain abnormally dry, but the remaining 95 counties are now at or above normal moisture levels. 

Drought continues its disappearing act

Severe drought is gone from North Carolina and moderate drought barely holding on after an extraordinarily rainy first half of January. 

Drought washes away in winter rain

Heavy rains last week banished all but a spot of severe drought from the mountain region, with more relief likely to be reflected in next week’s drought map from the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council. 

Year-in-review tool breaks down weather trends

The N.C. State Climate Office has launched a year-in-review tool that gives a review of trends and records at weather stations across the state. 

Wildfire season 2023: live updates

After months of dry weather, drought is translating into wildfires and burn bans.

Burn ban issued amid ongoing drought

A burn ban has been issued for 14 Western North Carolina counties in the face of expanding drought following the state’s 10th-driest October since records began in 1895.

Severe drought arrives in the mountains

Much of the western region is now in drought, with severe drought entering the state for the first time since November 2022. This is now the third consecutive fall in which parts of Western North Carolina have reached the “severe drought” designation.

Drought arrives in the mountains

Drought has re-entered the western region, with the most recent drought conditions map labeling Transylvania and Henderson counties as experiencing moderate drought.

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