Southeast Drought Conditions Continue Worsening

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Drought conditions continued to expand and intensify across much of the Southeast, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update.

In the Tennessee Valley, extreme drought conditions are present in portions of the region, with broader severe drought spreading across portions of Alabama, Tennessee, and into parts of Kentucky and North Carolina. 

Conditions vary by location, with some areas experiencing lower drought categories.

Georgia remains entirely in some level of drought, with the most intense conditions focused in the southern part of the state. 

The dry conditions are contributing to ongoing concerns for agriculture, water supply, and burn restrictions.

Alabama is also fully in drought status, with widespread severe to extreme drought conditions, particularly across southern areas of the state.

In the Carolinas, drought conditions continue to expand in western and southern portions of both states, with severe and extreme drought increasing in coverage in recent weeks. 

Portions of the Florida Panhandle are also experiencing worsening drought conditions.

Across the region, limited rainfall over the past week and above-normal temperatures have contributed to continued drying.

At the same time, smoke from fires in Georgia is being tracked across parts of the Southeast. Depending on wind patterns, that smoke may contribute to reduced air quality in some areas.

Some relief may be possible later this week and into the weekend, with rain chances increasing across portions of the Southeast.