A large band of eastern North Carolina has moved back into severe drought, as dry conditions that began last September continue to impact the entire region.
The N.C. Drought Monitor on Thursday has a narrow band that runs roughly along the Albemarle Sound shoreline and then southward along the U.S. 17 corridor is in the third highest drought category, with a wider band in moderate drought.
Nearly all of the coastal plain is at least abnormally dry, as those areas went more than a week without any rain.
“Compounded by warmer weather last weekend, drought impacts emerged in both the west and east this week, including widespread low streamflow levels and new wildfire activity,” according to the North Carolina Climate Office. “For now, springtime planting remains mostly on schedule and should be aided by this week’s rain.”
Large wildfires this week burned 400 acres in Swain County, 2,085 acres in McDowell County and 661 acres in Pender County.
That’s after wildfires fed by downed timber from Hurricane Helene burned thousands of acres in the southwest corner of the state and led to hundreds of evacuations earlier this spring.
Scattered showers will continue this weekend, with the best chances on Saturday along a cold front.
Sunday through Wednesday will be drier with near-normal highs, a short chance of rain Wednesday night, followed by more dry weather into late next week.
