Drought Information Statement for Central North Carolina Valid June 9, 2026 Issued By: NWS Raleigh Contact Information: This Drought Information Statement will be updated by July 7, 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 Exceptional Drought (D4) across much of the Triangle area. Extreme Drought (D3) continues across the Northern Piedmont and Northern Coastal Plain. The Southern Piedmont and Southern Coastal Plain are in Severe Drought (D2) DM Archive Page 1 Key Points This is a long-term drought, which dates back to August of 2025 for many areas. Raleigh has experienced its driest Spring on record (through May 31) and is currently experiencing a precipitation deficit of near 20 inches since August. Greensboro has experienced its third driest Spring on record (through May 31). The Chapel Hill Cooperative Observer Site has recorded just 10.10 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2026, over 10 inches below-normal. Impacts: Numerous municipalities have moved to voluntary and/or mandatory water conservation. Groundwater levels in the Piedmont are at or near record lows There are many reports of poor hay condition and stress on crops such as corn and soybeans. Many streams and rivers across central NC are at all-time record lows for this time of year, with some sites reaching no-flow levels. Falls Lake water supply is down to 69%. While the current forecast calls for near-normal precipitation in the next 7-10 days and some hint of above-normal precipitation possible through late June, there is no clear signal for significant drought improvement. 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 Exceptional Drought (D4) has developed across portions of the Triangle area. Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) Drought continues across the rest of Central North Carolina. Image Caption: Left: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EST June 9, 2026. Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 8am EST June 9, 2026. DM Archive Page Observed Precipitation Main Takeaways A few areas in the Southern Piedmont received near normal rainfall in the past 14 days, but overall it has been extremely dry and much of the Triangle area has received little to no rainfall. Latest 14-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 June 9, 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 Over the past 30 days rainfall has been significantly below normal, especially between Greensboro and Raleigh. For additional statistics, refer to the 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 June 9, 2026 Past 90 Days Stats Observed Precipitation Departure From Normal Percent of Normal Raleigh-Durham 3.93 -6.80 37% Greensboro 5.18 -5.73 47% Fayetteville 5.82 -3.62 61% 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 Latest 30-Day Average Max Temperature and Departure from Normal Main Takeaways Temperatures have been near to above normal over the past 30 days, with particularly hot conditions in the past week. Image Captions: Left: 7-Day Departure from Normal Temperature for NC Right: 30-Day Departure from Normal Temperature for NC Data Courtesy NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information Data over the past 30 days ending June 6, 2026 Observed Temperature https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-30-day-temperature-anomaly-appalachia.png https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-7-day-temperature-anomaly-appalachia.png Precipitation Forecast Next 7 days A hot and humid summer-like pattern will develop through the middle of next week. Some afternoon showers and storms are possible, potentially more focused across the Coastal Plain overall. However, rainfall is expected to be near-normal at best for most areas. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid June 11 - 18, 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 Above-normal temperatures are slightly favored (40-50% chance) in Days 8-14 across central North Carolina. Near-normal precipitation is favored. Possible Impact Near-normal precipitation would be beneficial in the current drought but is not likely to cause significant improvement. Image Captions: Left: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook. Right: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid June 18- 24, 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 increased chances (40-50%) of above-normal temperatures in Weeks 3-4 across central North Carolina. There is a slight lean (30-40%) to above-normal precipitation in Weeks 3-4; however, these probabilities still suggest 60-70% chances of near or below-normal precipitation. Possible Impact The potential for above-normal temperatures and only slightly increased probability of above-normal precipitation does not favor significant drought improvement. Image Captions: Left: Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. Right: Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook. Valid June 20 - July 3, 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 June-July-August across central North Carolina. There are equal chances of above or below-normal precipitation in June-July-August. Possible Impact There is no clear signal for drought improvement through the summer months. Image Captions: Left: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Temperature Outlook. Right: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Precipitation Outlook. Valid June - August, 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 ENSO Forecast Courtesy of the Climate Prediction Center (www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov) ENSO Alert System Status: El Niño Watch Main Takeaway: An El Niño, and a potentially very strong one, is likely to develop soon and continue through the upcoming winter. El Niño winters typically favor wetter conditions across the southern U.S.