More than two-thirds of the state of Georgia has been impacted by encroaching drought conditions, according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The May 16, 2019 map indicates around 54% of the state is suffering from abnormally dry conditions, while nearly 12% of the state is already in a mode of moderate drought. Central and South Georgia are impacted, while North Georgia currently shows no sign of drought.
University of Georgia climatologist Pam Knox, in an interview with Georgia News Network, said the forecast for the next couple of weeks does not look promising when it comes to rain.
"I really think that's [drought conditions] going to expand in the next couple of weeks because I don't expect to see a lot of rain in that part of the state," Knox said. "It looks like high pressure will be sitting over us the next couple of weeks. When we have high pressure in that area, we have lots of nice, sunny days without too many clouds."
Knox said that makes most people happy, but it's not necessarily good news for farmers.
"I think they're going to see some impacts on the crops that are already planted because there's going to be a fair amount of water demand from those high temperatures and we're not going to get any rain to support it," Knox said.
The wet winter has kept North Georgia fairly well hydrated, according to Knox.
The level of Lake Lanier remains above full winter pool at 1071.71 as of Friday at 12 p.m.
