Drought Worsening Across the Area

I know I don't include Upstate SC in my forecasting, but I like to include surrounding areas if they have problems such as this.

The drought situation is worsening across the area. A persistent northwest flow has been good to some...but has royally shafted others. This is especially prevalent in areas shadowed by western-facing mountains. Areas of Upstate SC are a great example of this...as well as Southwestern NC and isolated areas across East TN and Western NC.

A couple of guys I know from the Upstate area say it's been so dry that their yards now have long cracks stretching for yards. The only thing growing is weeds, and the yard is a dusty mess.

The below images speak for themselves.


Observed year-to-date precipitation


Normal year-to-date precipitation


Departure from normal


7/16/07-4:20 PM