Locally it has been a beautifully cool few days, with temperatures running a few degrees below normal after a brief spell of above normal temps:
But the big local weather news is the deepening drought. Much of the Southeast is in a drought, with parts of Georgia and Florida in an “exceptional” drought, meaning a 50 year or worse event:
Over the last six months we’ve had less than half the normal rainfall, according to NWS records this is the third driest fall/winter on record. Looking at my station data in mid-town Savannah, you can clearly see that after a very wet August 2025, the bottom fell out and we have had far below normal rain:
Here is the drought conditions report from the latest Charleston SC weather service office briefing:
Things don’t look good for this getting any better any time soon. Looking ahead for the next two weeks, the forecast is for below normal precipitation.
It does look a bit better in May/June/July, when we might get normal to above normal rain, but unless you’re watering your plants they won’t make it that long.
Like pollen allergies, poison ivy, and mold, the arrival of Spring means the first round of seasonal hurricane forecasts are being released. They are a waste of time and energy for the most part. Given the likely strong El Nino forecast for this summer/fall, a below normal season is likely in terms of raw numbers, but as I always point out, even one can ruin your day (and, likewise, 30 storms in a season means nothing if they are all fish storms). The one benefit of a below normal outlook is that at least we might be spared the usual hype. But I’m sure the social media clown car can find some clickbait somewhere.
Thanks! Less social media hype would be a welcome change for sure…. As would be rain right about now. 😏