By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — In the latest drought monitor update, moderate drought persists for a good portion of central North Carolina, while severe drought and extreme drought continues north of Triangle and up toward Virginia.
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While overall there was a slight decrease in the drought statewide, our central North Carolina communities in severe and extreme drought have seen conditions get slightly worse over the past week.
August was a dry month for the Triangle, with only 1.21 inches of rain – the sixth driest August on record for central North Carolina and 3.50 inches drier than normal for the month.
Unfortunately, September is trending drier, with the Climate Prediction Center highlighting higher odds for drier-than-normal conditions for most of North Carolina.
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September, on average, is our wettest month, with 5.15 inches of rain falling in the area, but most of that is associated with tropical cyclones. With a below-average hurricane season already in full force, the lack of tropical systems is contributing to our drought, in addition to strong ridges of high pressure.
These high pressures contribute to our dangerously hot weather and suppress decent rain chances.
As we get closer to fall, cold fronts coming down from the north could bring more chances for rain and help decrease the rainfall deficit. Until then, we wait for more precipitation to soak into the ground.
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