Source: Corey Davis, NC CLIMATE OFFICE, 9/6/18


August included mixed precipitation in North Carolina, with dry weather in some of our southern counties and wet conditions in many other areas. In this climate summary, we also look at last month's temperatures across the state.

How Dry It Is
The return of drought conditions wasn't entirely unexpected. Parts of the southern Piedmont that have missed out on precipitation in the past few months were dry again in August, and as a result, much of Union County is now classified in Moderate Drought on this week's US Drought Monitor map.

Monroe made it through August with only about half of its normal rainfall -- 2.86 inches vs. a normal of 5.16 -- and from June through August, it racked up a deficit of 6.5 inches, ranking as the 5th-driest summer on record there.
That lack of rainfall has caused a significant decline in soil moisture conditions, with parts of Union County now below the 5th percentile in both shallow and deeper levels.

For the full report, click here.