After a wet winter, the last couple of months have been quite dry, especially in the eastern half of our state.

What You Need To Know

  • The most recent drought monitor shows moderate drought conditions have developed near the coast

  • It is the first time in almost a year and a half that any part of the state has seen a drought

  • Some North Carolina farmers have already reported the dry weather is impacting their crops

Some spots in central and eastern North Carolina, including Raleigh and Wilmington, measured less than an inch of rain during the entire month of April. 

As a rainfall deficit builds for the spring months, moderate drought conditions have returned in parts of coastal North Carolina.

According to the State Climate Office, it is the first time any part of the state has been in a drought in almost a year and a half.

The long-range outlook from the Climate Prediction Center shows drought may continue to develop in other parts of eastern and central North Carolina as below-average rainfall is expected for at least the next couple of weeks.

The dry conditions already appear to be having an impact on the state's agriculture. In the most recent Weather and Crops report from the USDA, farmers in Johnston County noted the dry spring has slowed or stopped cotton planting. 

In recent weeks, when southeastern North Carolina saw rain, it came in the form of isolated strong thunderstorms. One farm in Pender County reported a hail storm completely destroyed its blueberry crop.