Drought conditions have expanded into most of north Georgia in recent weeks, including the Gainesville area.
The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, issued Thursday, shows "abnormally dry" conditions mainly confined to north Georgia and the western part of the state. They extend across the northern tier of counties from Rome and Dalton to Clayton and Toccoa, then southward, covering most of Hall County, part of Gwinnett and most of metro Atlanta.
Eastern portions of the state are free of drought conditions. For more on the drought in Georgia and the rest of the country, go to the Drought Monitor web site. http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home.aspx
March rainfall was well-below normal in Gainesville. Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport picked up 1.75 inches. Normal for the month is 5.42 inches. That means the year-to-date deficit is 5.39 inches.
