Drought Information Statement for the Western Carolinas and NE Georgia
Valid November 16, 2023
Issued By: WFO Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Contact Information: joshua.palmer@noaa.gov
This product will be updated November 27, 2023.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/gsp/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
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U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought Conditions Expand and Deteriorate Across the Western Carolinas and Northeast Georgia

Drought Intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Expansion into the southern Piedmont and southern mountains of NC and a portion of Rabun County, GA.  Expansion east into Chester, Union, and York counties in SC.

D2 (Severe Drought): Slight eastward and northward expansion in NC; expansion south into the Savannah River valley of GA and SC.

D1 (Moderate Drought): Expansion into Madison County, NC and all of Yancey County, NC.

Data over the past 60 days from September 16, 2023 to November 16, 2023
Precipitation
NC Mountains: 1.5-3.5” of precipitation has fallen since mid-August, which is 15-60% of normal.
Northeast GA: 1.5–3” of precipitation has fallen since mid-August, which is 20-40% of normal.
Upstate SC: 1–3.5” of precipitation has fallen since mid-August, which is 15-60% of normal.
NC Piedmont: 1–2.5” of precipitation has fallen since mid-August, which is 15-40% of normal.

Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Hydrologic Impacts 
28-day average USGS streamflows across the service area are below the 15th percentile of historical flows, with some streams, including the Pigeon River and upper French Broad River in NC, running much below normal or less than the 5th percentile of historical flows.
The Catawba-Wateree and Keowee-Toxaway River Basins are in Stage 1 drought.
The Upper Savannah River is in Level 2 drought.

Agricultural Impacts
Well-below normal soil moisture is delaying winter grain planting.  Pasture conditions are poor to very poor and hay is being fed to livestock.

Fire Hazard Impacts
A Burn Ban is in effect for all Western NC counties except Davie, Rowan, Cabarrus, and Union.
Two large wildfires in the NC mountains are currently at least 80% contained.

Mitigation Actions
Numerous municipalities are enacting Stage 1 Voluntary Water Restrictions.  Refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.

Drought Outlook
Drought conditions will persist, but opportunities for rainfall will increase from late November through December.
Short-Term: A potent storm system will move across the Greenville-Spartanburg service area November 20-22.  There is medium confidence that the area will receive 0.75-1.50” of rainfall through Wednesday, November 22.  This rainfall would temporarily prevent drought conditions from worsening.

Long-Term: The CPC Precipitation Outlook for December 2023 is calling for a 33% to 50% chance of above normal precipitation.  Historically, El Niño results in a more active storm track across the Gulf Coast and Southeast.  Above-normal precipitation would improve drought conditions through December.