Drought Monitor 2016

After some improvement in the drought across the region during the month of August, the last three weeks haven’t brought much drought relief to the region and the lack of rain in the forecast doesn’t post a good omen. Here’s an update on where we stand.

If you take a look back all the way at the August 7 drought conditions, the current ones don’t look too bad. That said, the recent  lack of rain is definitely beginning to rear it’s head across the region.

Here’s a look at the current conditions across the region:

All of Habersham County remains in a D1 (moderate) drought, with the far SW corner still in a severe drought. The biggest relief over the past month has been to Rabun County where just D0 (abnormally dry) conditions exist.

Compared to last week, there hasn’t been much change, and this is all a massive improvement over where we were a month ago. The only real noticeable change is far NE Rabun County moving out of no drought into abnormally dry conditions.

This is still considered short-term drought, as is evidenced by just a large area of abnormally dry only 4 months ago, and non-existent drought at the start of the year.

Even better news lies on the horizon with the global weather models showing an uptick in total rainfall over the coming 7-10 days that could help ease the drought back to just “severe” rather than “extreme”.

Here are some of the local rainfall deficits. The region is averaging around a foot under normal, and I expect the Drought Monitor to begin popping some severe drought across the region again next week.

Helen:-15.38″

Cornelia: -13.08″

Dahlonega: -12.98″

Elberton: -12.36″

Toccoa: -11.61″

Gainesville: -11.59″

Clayton: -9.68″

Blairsville:-6.01″

And here’s a few of the lake level deficits with the three week change in parentheses.

Blue Ridge: -11.56′ (being lowered to winter levels)

Lanier: -5.95′

Chatuge:-5.54′

Hartwell: -5.25′

Russell: -1.74′

Burton: -.04′

Unfortunately, there is NO model support for any significant rain for most of the rest of the month, so drought conditions will likely worsen heading through the next two weeks. I’ll update as things change and as always stay with Now Habersham for the latest weather updates.