Friday March 29th, 2024 7:48AM

Drought conditions improve in North Georgia, worsen to the south

By B.J. Williams
Drought conditions are getting worse in South Georgia, but the northern part of the state is seeing some improvement, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.
 
While most of Lumpkin, White and Habersham counties continue to suffer from extreme drought - the second worst level for drought conditions - there is a smaller area of impact than there was last week at this time. The map showed 1.11% of the state is impacted by extreme drought, as opposed to last week's 1.64% designation. At the start of the year, 49.64% of the state was suffering from extreme drought.
 
Most of Hall County is impacted by moderate drought, with the exception of the northern portion of the county, which is still designated in the severe drought category. 
 
Forecasters said rain during the month of April and the first week in May has certainly helped with easing drought conditions in North Georgia.
 
In April, Gainesville recorded 5.38 inches of rain, almost two inches above average. This week, just over an inch of rain fell at Gainesville's Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport. 
 
Lake Lanier continues to inch upward [the level was 1063.17 at 10 a.m. Friday] although the level is well below full pool of 1071.
 
South Georgia is a different story, however.
 
"The short-term drought areas in southern Georgia and Florida had degradation, as a full category change in intensity was observed where precipitation was minimal," the weekly report said. 
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