"Between 5 and 5.5 inches of rain is normal (for northeast Georgia during March0," said state Climatologist David Stooksbury. "(But) many locations have had less than half an inch."
About three-quarters of an inch (.74) had been recorded in Gainesville by the AccessNorthGeorgia Weather Center through midnight TueSday.
The dry weather is raising eyebrows in some circles. Soil moisture and the levels of lakes, streams, and rivers are among the concerns as summer approaches.
Stooksbury says it's better that it's dry now than in a few months.
"If this was in July, we would be in an extreme situation as far as agriculture is concerned."
Stooksbury says the next several weeks will be critical in refilling lakes, streams and rivers - and replenishing soil moisture. He says its too early to know if we're seeing a return of the extended drought that was broken a couple of years ago.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/3/161645