Good and bad news Drought improves for some, worsens for many

There is good and bad news about the drought situation across the Southeast.

South Florida’s weeks of worsening droughts ended after the heavy precipitation that fell during the first week of June. That is the good news. The drought has worsened from North Florida through the Mid-Atlantic, increasing category in the last two weeks. Many places from the Carolinas northward were not even in a drought at the beginning of June. The lack of rain and the hot temperatures have contributed to a subtle and drastic change.

The drought monitor issued on June 11, shows the southern half of Florida under a severe drought and much of the Southeast was drought-free. Two weeks later, the graphics issued on June 25 show spots with severe droughts across the Pee Dee in South Carolina and Central Virginia and moderate drought conditions from North Florida through Virginia.

But there is hope as the incoming weather pattern shifts to more rain this weekend into early next week. We have a low-pressure system traveling over the Southeast this weekend which will aid the development of showers and storms. Then a cold front that should lose its punch, and speed across the Southeast through the Mid-Atlantic through the beginning of next week.

Rainfall totals across the coast of North Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia will range between one inch to 2 inches. And some isolated stubborn thunderstorms could bring higher amounts. We will continue to monitor and bring you updates once the new report comes out next Thursday.