Drought Information Statement for Central North Carolina 
Valid February 26, 2026
Issued By: NWS Raleigh
Contact Information: 
This Drought Information Statement will be updated by March 12, 2026.
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/RAH/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements.
Questions or comments can be sent to barrett.smith@noaa.gov 


Extreme Drought (D3) persists in the southern Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain areas of North Carolina.

Severe Drought (D2) continues across the rest of central North Carolina.


1

Current Drought Conditions
Graphic Courtesy of the North Carolina State Climate Office

Current Drought Conditions
Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map and One-Week Change
Main Takeaways
Extreme Drought (D3) has developed in the northern Piedmont and continues in the southern Piedmont, including Stanly County.
Severe Drought (D2) continues across the remainder of central North Carolina over the past few weeks.
Image Caption: 
Left: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am February 24th .
Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 1-week change map valid 8am February 24th.. 
DM Archive Page

Observed Precipitation


Main Takeaways
Despite a few storm systems since early January, precipitation overall has been below normal and significantly below normal across western NC.
Additional statistics → Local Rainfall Summary 
Latest 30-Day Precipitation and Percent of Normal Precipitation
Image Captions: 
Left - 30 Day Observed Precipitation for NC; Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for NC
Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service. 
Past 90 Days Stats
Observed Precipitation
Departure From Normal
Percent of Normal
Raleigh-Durham
5.37
–4.22
56%
Greensboro
6.87
-2.49
73%
Fayetteville
5.79
-3.11
65%
NWS RAH LCO



Precipitation Forecast


Next 7 days: 

A frontal system currently moving through the region will result in 1-2” of rain is some positions of the Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain.

Another storm system expected to move through the Mid-Atlantic Region early next week may bring some additional lighter rain amounts

This will be much needed rainfall and will continue to stabilize or perhaps even improve deficits across northern portion of NC.

Image Caption: 
Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid February 26th to March 5th,  
Latest 7-Day Precipitation Forecast

Weeks 3-4 Outlook


Temperature and Precipitation Outlook


Main Takeaways
There is a lean toward above normal temperatures for the middle of March. 

Below normal precipitation is slightly favored.


Possible Impact
Longer range models suggest a warm pattern across the central and eastern US, with a general storm track through the Midwest.  This pattern may result in additional rainfall deficits and continued or worsening of drought conditions in some areas.
Image Captions: 
Left - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. 
Right - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook.
Valid March 7 - March 20, 2026  


Seasonal (3-Month) Outlooks


Seasonal Temperature/Precipitation and Drought Outlooks


Main Takeaways
There is a slight lean toward above normal temperatures across the southeast U.S. heading into spring.

There are equal chances of above or below normal precipitation.

Drought is expected to persist across central NC into spring.



Image Captions: 
Left - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Temperature Outlook. 
Right - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Precipitation Outlook.
Valid March to May, 2026.