Most of the Charlotte region now in ‘severe drought’ status as dry conditions persist
The lack of substantial rainfall and extreme dry conditions have put the Charlotte region in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Mecklenburg and most of the surrounding counties are now in a severe drought — the third highest of five drought-intensity stages — according to the Drought Monitor’s update on Thursday. Mecklenburg had been in a moderate drought. The next two stages are extreme and exceptional drought.
Charlotte saw a quarter-inch of rain on Nov. 22 and a half-inch on Nov. 12, according to meteorologist Robbie Munroe of the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C. The Charlotte area is 6.6 inches below normal for precipitation, he told the Observer.
Statewide, about 86% of North Carolina is under drought conditions. Parts of York, Lancaster, Chester and Chesterfield counties in South Carolina also are under severe drought conditions.
In its U.S. Winter Outlook report issued in October, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said Mecklenburg and surrounding counties could see dry conditions through January, during which a drought could develop.
According to the Drought Monitor, severe droughts could mean:
▪ Wildfires become difficult to extinguish;
▪ Dryland crop yields are low;
▪ Swimming areas and boat ramps may begin to close;
▪ Voluntary and mandatory water-use restrictions could be implemented, and residents could be asked to refrain from nonessential water use.
About 17% of North Carolina counties are in a severe drought, while 65% are in a moderate drought.
About 12% of South Carolina counties are also in a severe drought, while 43% are in moderate and 73% are abnormally dry.
Charlotte won’t see a chance of rain until at least Monday, according to a NWS forecast.
Even if there’s rain on Monday, it’s “unlikely” to put a dent in the drought, Munroe said. There’s a higher chance of more meaningful rainfall Wednesday into Thursday, he said.
Skies should be sunny Thursday, and clear at night, according to the NWS forecast at 9:52 a.m.
Temperatures are expected to reach 69 degrees on Thursday, 74 on Friday, 70 on Saturday and 61 on Sunday.
Burn ban in NC
North Carolina remains under a burn ban, issued Monday by the state Forest Service as fire teams battled a wildfire at Pilot Mountain State Park, north of Winston-Salem.
Burning leaves, branches or other plant material is banned until further notice. All burning permits also have been canceled statewide.
This ban doesn’t apply to fires within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, the forest service said. Local government agencies have jurisdiction over those fires.
Firepits and outdoor fireplaces are fine as long as safety precautions — such as a protective screen or an extinguishing method — are in place, the Huntersville Fire Department said in a tweet on Tuesday. All other open burning is prohibited.
Neither Mecklenburg County nor the City of Charlotte have announced a local ban on open fires close to occupied structures.
In Charlotte, recreational fires are allowed for “pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes,” according to the fire department. However, fires must be at least 25 feet from structures and other combustible materials. Burning household trash, yard waste or construction materials is prohibited.
This story was originally published December 2, 2021 at 11:42 AM.
