ATLANTA - The rainfall deficits in Gainesville and elsewhere in North Georgia remain at 12 inches or more for the past 12 months, but winter rains have eliminated the "exceptional" drought conditions. <br />
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"Exceptional" is the term used by climatologists and others to describe the worst-case scenario when it comes to droughts.<br />
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The situation is still considered "extreme" in most of North Georgia, except for the Rabun County area in extreme Northeast Georgia, where things are slightly better.<br />
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The U.S Drought Monitor, in its latest seasonal outlook which takes the country through June, says conditions in North Georgia are likely to improve, though the drought will persist.<br />
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The rainfall deficit in Gainesville since the first of the year is about 3.5 inches. The deficit since Jan. 1, 2007 is more than 26.5 inches. <br />
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On the Net: U.S. Drought Monitor. http://www.drought.unl.edu/DM/monitor.html
