Local – White County is now experiencing the early stage of drought due to all the dry weather over the past month. Local news radio weather reporter Bill Kinsland said according to the latest map just released Thursday from NOAA’s National Drought Mitigation Center, White County is in D-ZERO (“Abnormally Dry”) status. This is the first time we have had a drought since July 28th, 2020. 

For the month of May, White County’s average rainfall-to-date is 1.13 inches, our normal rainfall is 3.04 inches putting White County in a deficit of -1.91 inches. White County has recorded only 37% of its normal May rainfall.

As of Thursday, White County’s year-to-date rainfall total is 28.95 inches, our normal rainfall is 26.92 inches giving White County a surplus of +2.03 inches. White County has recorded 108% of its normal year-to-date rainfall.

Drought maps show that drought conditions are spreading rapidly. Last week (May 10th), some 42% of Georgia was in some level of drought. This week (May 17th), some 73% of Georgia was in some level of drought.

Kindsland said that conditions will continue to be monitored, WRWH will update as new information comes in.