Drought worsens in South Ga.

ATHENS - As if to emphasize that it may not be done with us just yet, drought conditions expanded slightly in parts of Georgia last month.

The assistant state climatologist says that's true in eastern and coastal Georgia where rainfall in January was well below normal.

Pam Knox also reports that rainfall in parts of north Georgia during the month was above normal.

The Gainesville airport, for instance, recorded 6.48 inches; normal for January is about 5.5 inches.

Lake Lanier, meanwhile, is at 1056.62 today... the same as it was at the beginning of February. This follows a steady climb since December 8... which saw the level rise by almost six feet in a span of just seven weeks. But, there has been little day-to-day change since February 1.

FULL TEXT OF REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE CLIMATOLOGIST:

January dry month for Georgia, temperatures variable

By Pam Knox

Georgiaâ