Drought Information Statement for Southeast Georgia and Southeast South Carolina
Valid July 3, 2026
Issued By: NWS Charleston, SC
Contact Information: nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov
This product will be updated July 17, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/chs/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Significant drought improvement has occurred across southeast GA since May
Severe to Extreme drought conditions persist across all of southeast SC
Widespread significant rainfall is not expected over the next week
Some drought improvement is anticipated through the remainder of summer and into the start of fall

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): 
GA: None
SC: None
D3 (Extreme Drought): 
GA: None
SC: Berkeley, Charleston
D2 (Severe Drought): 
GA: Chatham, Effingham, Screven
SC: Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton,  Jasper
D1 (Moderate Drought): 
GA: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Screven, Tattnall
SC: Allendale
D0: (Abnormally Dry): 
GA: Bulloch, Candler, Jenkins, Screven, Tattnall
SC: None

Precipitation
The last 30 days have brought a return to below normal rainfall for much of the area
Conditions have been wettest across southeast GA where some areas have been near normal or even slightly above normal
The driest conditions have been across southeast SC

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
No impacts recently reported

Agricultural Impacts
On June 27th, a farmer in Allendale County reported extremely dry conditions in the local area including drought stress noted even in irrigated corn and soybeans. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
No impacts recently reported

Other Impacts
On June 29th, a citizen in Berkeley County reported that many shrubs, plants, and trees were showing leaf droppings and stunted growth. Also, lake and reservoir levels were very low. 

Mitigation Actions
No impacts recently reported

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Little to no daily thunderstorm activity is expected through at least Saturday (7/4)
A gradual shift to increasing afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity is expected from Sunday (7/5) through the rest of the week
Overall, no widespread significant rainfall is expected

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
For the month of July there is equal chances of below normal, near normal, or above normal rainfall
For the July-September time period there is equal chances of below normal, near normal, or above normal rainfall

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
There is potential for drought conditions to improve across all of southeast GA and southeast SC through the rest of summer and the beginning of fall