By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — New drought monitor data released Thursday showed improving conditions across North Carolina, with the amount of land classified under extreme drought shrinking significantly over the past week.
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According to the latest update, 36.6% of the state remains in a D3 extreme drought, down from last week by more than 28%. In addition, no part of North Carolina is currently listed under D4 exceptional drought status.
Wake County also saw notable improvement. The county is now 55% under D3 extreme drought conditions after being entirely covered by extreme drought last week. However, the remaining 45% of the county is still experiencing severe drought conditions.
Despite the improvement statewide, several counties in central and northern North Carolina remain almost entirely under extreme drought classifications.
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Counties still at or near 100% D3 extreme drought include Nash, Franklin, Person, Granville, Vance and Warren counties. Durham County remains 99.6% under extreme drought conditions, while Orange County is at 96.9%.
Meteorologists said the recent rainfall has helped ease drought conditions, but the state still faces a significant rainfall deficit. An estimated 12 to 15 inches of rain within a month would be needed to fully eliminate the drought.
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