Recent Rains Further Dent Drought
By Gannon Medwick
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thanks for checking into my blog! Here is a drought / rainfall progress report for Eastern North Carolina from the past month:
February 17, 2009: A drier-than-average January and early February prompt NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to place most of Eastern North Carolina in a D1 / Moderate Drought stage.
February 18, 2009: Around 1” of soaking rain falls area-wide.
February 24, 2009: Rainfall from the previous week prevents the drought level from worsening. NOAA holds most of Eastern Carolina in a D1 / Moderate Drought stage.
March 1, 2009: A weekend washout brings a widespread 1 to 3.5” of soaking rain area-wide!
March 3, 2009: Given the recent soaking, NOAA no longer classifies any part of Eastern North Carolina as having a D1 / Moderate Drought stage. A D0 / Abnormally Dry stage remains effective for all counties except Duplin.
March 10, 2009: Despite a full week of dry weather, Eastern Carolina drought stages progress to levels no worse than D0 / Abnormally Dry.
March 16, 2009: Most of Eastern Carolina receives between 0.75” and 2.75” of soaking rainfall between Friday, March 13 and Monday, March 16.
I surmise that the recent dose of significant rain will hoist more - or even most - of Eastern North Carolina out the of D0 / Abnormally Dry stage. New NOAA drought statistics will be released Thursday. Check back for updates!
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