CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While most of the Carolinas have been focused on our first and second winter storms of the season, the WCNC Charlotte weather team has also been keeping an eye on our drought numbers.
For the first time since early December, there is no severe drought across North Carolina or South Carolina. This is a significant improvement for both states as they had continued to see worsening drought through late 2021.
Abnormally dry conditions still encompass 82% of North Carolina and 43% of South Carolina. Both states also have a moderate drought of around 20%.
More rain is still needed. While the two winter storms have helped, more significant precipitation is needed to resolve the deficit.
Fluffy snow, especially, consists of mostly air and little water vapor which doesn’t help a ton. The runoff from melted snow and ice really does more to help the drought after an event than when it’s falling from the sky.
Regardless, these improvements are a welcome sight.
Data from NOAA still suggests the Charlotte area needs over ten inches to get out of the drought and back to normal. Despite the new year, the environment is still suffering from the 8-inch deficit at the end of 2021.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is published weekly on Thursdays through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.