Drought Information Statement for Central North Carolina Valid April 14, 2026 Issued By: NWS Raleigh Contact Information: This Drought Information Statement will be updated by May 14, 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) continues to slowly expand in the Southern and Northeast Piedmont areas. Severe Drought (D2) now compasses nearly all of Central North Carolina. DM Archive Page 1 Key Points This is a long term drought, which dates back to Augustof 2025 for many areas. For instance, Raleigh is currently experiencing ~15 inch precipitation deficit since August. The recent very dry period, above normal temperatures, and increasing demand on the water supply is causing more impacts to be felt. The Noth Carolina State Climate Office reports that, statewide, 30% of winter wheat is in poor or very poor condition per USDA/NASS with some slow or stunted growth noted Some communities are starting to enact water restrictions and reservoir operators are moving to low flow protocols. In the short term, a period of unsettled weather is possible across the southern tier of the U.S., which could bring some near to above normal rainfall by the end of April. The outlook for May and into the summer favors a slight lean to above normal rainfall but continued above normal temperatures. 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 Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought continue across nearly all of Central North Carolina. Image Caption: Left: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EST April 14th. Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 8am EST April 14th. DM Archive Page Observed Precipitation Main Takeaways There has only been one moderate rain event since the beginning of April, and the rainfall from that system was focused mainly in the coastal plain. Rainfall has been significantly below normal in the Piedmont. Latest 7-Day Rainfall and Percent of Normal Rainfall Image Captions: Left - Precipitation Amount for NC Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for NC Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service Data over the past 14 days ending April 16, 2026 https://www.weather.gov/images/rah/radarImages/NWPS_Precipitation_Last_14_Days_RG.png https://www.weather.gov/images/rah/radarImages/NWPS_Precipitation_pct_normal_Last_14_Days_RG.png Observed Precipitation Main Takeaways There have only been two rain events since early March, and total those events only produced 1-2 inches of rain, with most areas receiving just around an inch of rain. Rainfall has been significantly below normal. 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. Data over the past 30 days ending April 16th Past 90 Days Stats Observed Precipitation Departure From Normal Percent of Normal Raleigh-Durham 6.04 -4.29 58% Greensboro 6.27 -3.82 62% Fayetteville 5.69 -3.40 63% NWS RAH LCO https://www.weather.gov/images/rah/radarImages/NWPS_Precipitation_Last_30_Days_RG.png https://www.weather.gov/images/rah/radarImages/NWPS_Precipitation_pct_normal_Last_30_Days_RG.png Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows have been extremely below normal across all of Central North Carolina since the middle of March. Image Caption: USGS 28 Day Average Streamflow Anomaly valid April 14th, 2026 Precipitation Forecast Next 7 days: After near-record heat and dry conditions this week, a cold front will move through the area on Sunday. However, rainfall is expected to be limited with the front and many areas will remain dry. Well below normal rainfall is expected. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid April 16 to April 23, 2026 Latest 7-Day Precipitation Forecast https://www.weather.gov/images/rah/radarImages/NWPS_Precipitation_Last_7_Days_NC.png 8-14 Day Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook Main Takeaways There is a 40-50% chance of above normal temperatures in Days 8-14 across central North Carolina. There are slightly increased chances (33-40%) of above normal precipitation in Days 8-14. Possible Impact Potential for slight improvement in drought conditions from wetter conditions, but heat may mitigate those improvements somewhat. Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid April 24 -30, 2026 https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814temp.new.gif https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814prcp.new.gif Weeks 3-4 Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook Main Takeaways There are slightly increased chances (33-40%) of above normal temperatures in Weeks 3-4 across central North Carolina. There are equal chances of above or below normal precipitation in Weeks 3-4. Possible Impact There is no clear signal for wet or dry conditions heading into early May. However the main storm track should generally be through the Midwest, bringing weather systems into the region and some chances for rain. Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook. Valid April 25-May 6, 2026 https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/WK34/gifs/WK34temp.gif https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/WK34/gifs/WK34prcp.gif Seasonal Outlooks Temperature and Precipitation Outlook Main Takeaways There is a 40-50% chance of above normal temperatures in May-June-July across central North Carolina. There are slightly increased chances (33-40%) of above normal precipitation in May-June-July. Possible Impact Some improvement in drought conditions will be possible later this spring into early summer with wetter conditions. But heat may mitigate those improvements somewhat. Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook. Valid May-July, 2026 https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead01/off01_temp.gif https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead01/off01_prcp.gif