Statewide drought continues, could worsen

Although some parts of the state have been inundated with wet weather lately, this year's drought continues. Throughout the state, severe or extreme drought conditions persist.

Experts say there's been enough rain to make neighborhood lawns look good. But, statewide, rainfall is still below normal. In some places up to eight inches below normal, for this time of year. And, without a surplus of ground and river water, what little relief recent rains have provided, will quickly dry up as we move into August.

State climatologist David Stooksberry predicts weeks of hot, dry weather with no relief in sight for the very near future.

"What's its going to take is an extended period, and I mean many months of normal to above normal rainfall," said Stooksberry. "Unfortunately, that probably means it will be this winter before we have any chance of pulling out of the drought."

Looking ahead, Stooksberry said long range forecasts indicate a dry warm winter 2007. He said any storms Georgia does get during the winter months will do little to relieve the drought as 2008 approaches.