Focus on Drought

A total of 61 counties across Georgia have banned all outdoor irrigation as the region?EUR??,,????'???s worst drought in recorded history marches forward. Homeowners (and a few landscape contractors) are shedding tears as turf and shrubs turn brown. Significant rainfall hit parts of the region around Oct. 19, but generally dry conditions will persist, forecasters say.

 

The Southeast is a black hole of drought on this recent map from the National Weather Service?EUR??,,????'???s Climate Prediction Center. For most of this region, the drought shows no sign of letting up and local officials continue to clamp down on water use. In North Carolina, the governor has asked citizens to stop non-essential water use as several communities have only a few months of water supply remaining. This is also the case in northern Georgia, where the governor has also pleaded with citizens to voluntarily find other ways to conserve water besides the usual outdoor watering restrictions in place.
Photo: NOAA/National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center

View Full Size Image

At press time, the good news was that much of the Southeast drought region could expect some improvement during the last weeks of October, with locally heavy rains in a few locations. Unfortunately, the expected rainfall was unlikely to lead to lasting drought relief over the Southeast, as the ongoing La Ni?????a should lead to below-normal rainfall during November-January, resulting in drought continuing or re-intensifying. The outlook even indicates a good chance for drought to redevelop in parts of Florida.
Photo: NOAA/National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center

View Full Size Image